Masaka- The High Court in Masaka District has
sentenced a man to 27 years in jail for defiling an eight-year-old girl
and infecting her with HIV.
The State prosecutor, Mr Baxter Bakibinga, told
court this week that the convict, Fulugension Bazooka, defiled the girl
on May 22, 2011 in Kasijjagirwa village in Masaka Municipality.
Mr Bakibinga said the victim’s mother had sent the
daughter to Bazooka’s home to collect beans, but upon reaching there,
the convict forced her inside the house and defiled her.
The victim reported the matter to her mother who informed police who arrested Bazooka.
Mr Bakibinga asked the presiding judge, Justice
Margaret Oumo Oguli, to give the convict a death sentence because he
also infected the girl with HIV.
However, Bazooka asked for forgiveness, saying he had four children and a blind grandmother aged 90 to look after.
However, Bazooka asked for forgiveness, saying he had four children and a blind grandmother aged 90 to look after.
“My home is now a bush, no one can control it in
my absence and I need to go back and take care of my family who rely on
me,” Bazooka pleaded.
Pleas
His lawyer, Mr Lawrence Yawe, pleaded for leniency for his client and asked court to consider the three years Bazooka had spent on remand and being a first offender.
His lawyer, Mr Lawrence Yawe, pleaded for leniency for his client and asked court to consider the three years Bazooka had spent on remand and being a first offender.
However, Justice Oguli said prosecution had proved
its case beyond reasonable doubt and observed that given the girl was
infected with an incurable disease and that her mind was traumatised for
life, the accused deserved a deterrent sentenced of 27 years in jail.
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