Woman Remanded Over Torture of 11 Year Old House Help

The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has remanded Charity Iwutung for allegedly torturing her 11-year-old niece, whom she brought to Kampala to work as a housemaid. 

Iwutung, 23, a resident of Mulimira Zone in Kamokya, appeared on Wednesday before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi, who charged her with aggravated torture.

According to reports, Iwutung is accused of repeatedly subjecting the victim to physical abuse for no apparent reason. Prosecution states that on April 5, 2025, Iwutung tied the victim’s hands and legs, locked her in a room, and tortured her by pouring water on her while beating her with a metal object.

Community members responded to the victim’s cries for help, rescued her, and arrested Iwutung, who was handed over to the police for further investigation.

When asked if she committed the offense, Iwutung admitted to the Court that she had indeed disciplined the child but denied that she was torturing her. While State Attorney Ivan Kyazze considered this a plea of guilty, Chief Magistrate Kayizzi noted that a plea of guilty should be straightforward, without the accused adding unnecessary explanations.

Kayizzi then asked Iwutung’s lawyer, Chris Ocom, for his thoughts on his client’s plea. After speaking briefly with his client, Ocom informed the Court that Iwutung denied the charges. Kayizzi informed the Court that investigations were ongoing. Consequently, Iwutung, who appeared in Court with her very young child, was remanded to prison with her baby until April 23, 2025, while the investigation continues.

The trouble for Iwutung began when Issa Kimbugwe, a 56-year-old KCCA supervisor and resident of Kamokya, reported the matter to the police. Torture cases, particularly involving women mistreating children in their care, have become increasingly common in Uganda.