The magistrates’ court in Kira has sentenced her to three years imprisonment as one Kaftah Queen after she was found guilty of beating and torturing a friend Pretty Nicole whom she accused of snatching her boyfriend
While reading her judgment, Kira Grade one Magistrate Esther Nyadoi said the actions of the 18-year-old Kaftah a student at Trinity College Nabweru of violently assaulting her friend were barbaric and have no place in society.
“This is a deterrence sentence to you and other young girls out there. I want you to be an example that violence has no place in our country. I am sentencing you to three years imprisonment,” the grade one magistrate said.
Despite prayers by remorseful 18-year-old Kaftah and student of Trinity College Nabweru for a lenient sentence, Her Lordship Nyadoi there is a need to send a strong warning to other would-be offenders that violence doesn’t pay.
“Having taken everything into consideration, the fact that you are young and want to go back to school but again, the court owes a duty to the public and I have to send a message that we don’t condone violence.”
Further pronouncing herself on the sentence, the magistrate said whereas she would be persuaded to forgive or give a lenient sentence to Kaftah, the statement by the victim Nicole showed that she ought to act in a bid to tame the violence occasioned by her.
“When you asked the victim for forgiveness, she was crying all over. She looked at you and said it was not the first time that you have been fighting for men. She said on several occasions you were calling and later pouring on her alcohol as well as insulting her. When you asked for forgiveness, she said that was out and that she couldn’t forgive you. She asked the court to sentence you to five years imprisonment. It is the duty of this court to pass on punishment because we can’t encourage such young girls to fight for men. You are young girls with a bright future and the court can’t’ condone that kind of violence in our society,” the magistrate said.
Earlier while the court asked Pretty Nicole whether she could forgive her tormentor, Kaftah, she broke down before telling the court she could not forgive her for the anguish she occasioned her while she added that it had been a common practice to beat her up while they were in Bars.
The magistrate, however, said Kaftah was free to appeal against the sentence in 14 days’ time.
The grade one magistrate also directed that the victim Nicole be taken to a home for rehabilitation until she gets well so as to return to school for the new term.
