LUGAZI – Ms Sarah Nabawoya 40, a woman who is accused of pouring acid on her cousin Ms Faridah Babirye has on Wednesday, August 21, been remanded to Lugazi prison until Monday, August 26.
It’s alleged that Ms Nabawoya poured the corrosive substance on Ms Babirye on June 29, 2013, in Kitega local council in Kawolo Division Lugazi Municipality when while she was on her way home after work.
It was said that the incident followed a disagreement between the ladies, where Ms Babirye refused Ms Nabawoya to use her saloon business as security to get a loan to start her own business.
“Nabawoya poured acid on me because I refused her to use my business as security to attain a bank loan,” said Ms Babirye.
Ms Nabawoya has since the horrific incident been in hiding on Buvuma island for the last 6 years where she was found and arrested.
She has been charged with attempted murder.
She was traced by a community-based organization Coordinator of Youth Vulnerable Children and Orphans (YVCO) which alerted Buvuma police to apprehend her and later transferred her to Lugazi on Friday, Aug 23.
She is currently being detained at Lugazi Central Police Station.
Ms Babirye suffered severe burns on her face which left her blind, her neck, chest where she lost her breast nipples, part of her stomach and the hands as a result of the acid attack.
She was arraigned on Wednesday before the Lugazi Grade One Magistrate Lwanga Nsibambi who remanded her until Monday, August 26 for hearing.
Speaking to Ms Babirye, she said that she was excited to hear that her cousin was finally arrested.
She said: “I had lost hope when my cousin disappeared for the last 6 years, however, I was excited when I was told last week that Nabawoya was actually arrested.”
She hopes that justice will be served
“Nabawoya’s family has tried to bribe the police in Lugazi but failed. I hope I’ll get justice for what she did to me.” She added
Ms Josephine Aliseka the coordinator YVCO an organization that is currently taking care of Ms Babirye and her son said that they now have hope that justice will prevail after six years of waiting.
Ms Aliseka said: “After 6 years of searching and waiting, we now have hope that justice will be served.”
Mr Moses Kikoba the by then Vice-Chairperson LCI Kitega village condemned the act saying nobody deserves to go through such a thing.
He said: “What Ms Nabawoya did to her cousin sister was a speakable act that nobody should be doing to anybody no matter the reason.”
