Help us trace domestic violence victims in circulated videos - Police

POLICE | DOMESTIC | VIOLENCE 

KAMPALA - The Police on Monday asked for help in locating the perpetrators of violence in the previous videos of domestic violence and child abuse shared online.

Addressing the media at the Police Headquarters on Monday, Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga said they were concerned that several incidents of domestic violence still go unreported.

This is mainly because of the much stigma and pressure women face from family members and other members of the public, for them to maintain the family unit and reconcile with their abusers.  

"Some of the victims might not be ready to leave an abuser, they share children with or rely on for financial support. Others fear the legal consequences of courts and are dissuaded from filing or pursuing their complaints further, and yet the victims experience deep trauma, which takes many years for one to heal from.  

"We want to use this opportunity to inform all victims of domestic abuse that there is life on the other side of domestic or separation. There is proof that you can heal from the abuses in domestic settings if it's beyond repair. Tell somebody, if you are experiencing domestic violence, there are people who want to help you get out of it," Enanga said.

Enanga was commenting about an incident over the weekend in which the Police registered an incident of aggravated torture and domestic violence on Friday March 11, 2022.

In the video, one Julius Matovu , a 32-year-old, businessman of Kitumba Zone, Fort portal City, Kabalore district, was captured grabbing his wife and mother to three children by the hair and thumping her. 

Enanga said the suspect had been charged and remanded.

"He dragged her around, repeatedly hit her head to the wall, then stomped and kicked her severally. The victim, Esther Nasaka , aged 22, was cohabiting with the suspect for the last six years, and had done the right thing of leaving her husband on February 20, 2022, due to his abusive and aggressive nature. 

"She started staying with her mother at Kikubbamba zone, in Wakiso district. She was, however, called by her husband to go and pick up her clothes and other belongings at Erisa zone in Kyebando, where her husband instead attacked and seriously assaulted her," Enanga added.

Police thanked Martin Sekitoleko, who recorded the video depicting the horrible incident. 

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"He did not stop there but went on to alert the Police about the incident which enabled us to rescue the victim and also arrest the suspect. It is not only going to aid our investigations and prosecution of the suspect, but helps us share important safety information with the public," Enanga noted.

Enanga said the video clearly shows a common pattern among domestic abusers, especially husbands, male partners and boyfriends. 

"It shows how some people in society have lost their sense of humanity, care and respect for others. The suspect Matovu has been charged with aggravated torture and domestic violence. He appeared before the Chief Magistrates Court in Nabweru and was remanded. "

Police thanked Uganda Network on Law Ethics and HIV/AIDS (UGANET), a non-governmental organization for the medical and Psychosocial support they offered to the victim.