In a shocking twist, police in Mbarara City have mounted a manhunt for Doreen Twongyirwe, a lecturer at Bishop Stuart University, BSU, accused of pouring boiling water on her 16-year-old housemaid, Anita Kansiime. The alleged assault occurred after Kansiime had failed to bathe Twongyirwe’s children in time, an act that triggered a heated argument.
The incident has really caused an uproar in society, especially since Twongyirwe happens to be a well-standing intellectual in society. According to eyewitness accounts, the argument turned violent, and soon Kansiime had sustained serious burns from the scalding hot water.
Kansiime has since then been in medication, whose condition also drew interest with the local authorities and communities. Police spokespeople emphasized that the allegations were grave, assuring the public that justice would be served as investigations continued.
The police reportedly said that after the incident, Twongyirwe ran away from her home in Katete Central Cell, forcing them to appeal to the public for any information that might help in arresting her. This surely points to the fact that she shall be made to face the full force of the law, just like others who commit such crimes, especially within domestic confines.
As the investigation unfolds into these drastic events, many in Mbarara are still left to wonder how such a grievous incident could have happened, involving such an influential character in the education department. Community leaders and activists call for speedy justice over this incident, with a review on how domestic workers are treated within Ugandan households.
This case sheds light on the many cases of domestic abuses and protections of vulnerable persons, specifically minors, in domestic employments. The public watches closely as Kansiime continues to recover, hoping for justice in the courts and a re-awakened interest in domestic workers’ rights.
This incident puts in the limelight the plight of domestic workers, which needs immediate protective measures and societal change. The community is in support of Kansiime for her well-being and is acting in a manner to hold those in authority accountable.
