– ‘Inflicting pain without regard’ –
She appeared smartly dressed in a floral shirt, coming face to face in court with the baby’s father Eric Kamanzi, who reportedly broke down as she apologised for her actions.
“She said she was sorry for the act,” Tushabe said.
“She asked for forgiveness from the parents of the child, the nation, and those she said were affected by her acts.”
Tumuhiirwe was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Wednesday.
UN children’s agency chief in Uganda has condemned the abuse.
“The video of this baby being beaten is shocking,” UNICEF head Aida Girma said. “Any such act of abuse and violence against children is completely unacceptable.”
The case has gathered wide attention in Uganda, where many middle class parents hire maids to look after their children.
Maids in Uganda are often poorly paid, and regularly live in the houses where they work.
While the assault shocked the nation, some commentators said the abuse reflected wider issues of hidden violence in Ugandan society.
“Even at schools, children get beaten for very little – not getting a question right, not having hair combed, or nails cleaned,” a comment piece in the country’s Observer newspaper read.
“Ugandan children grow up numbed to pain, and end up inflicting pain without regard.”
The case has prompted the country’s Human Rights Commission to call on the labour ministry to draw up regulations for domestic workers.
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