In a distressing turn of events, a 17-year-old disabled girl, who endured a traumatic assault, is grappling with the challenge of caring for her one-year-old child. Faith Nyapendi (pseudonym), as she is known, became pregnant after being allegedly assaulted while collecting firewood in Musirisisi Village, Budhaya Sub-County, Bugiri District, last year. The alleged assailant, thought to be in his mid-20s, fled as soon as he learned that he was being pursued by the police.
In the wake of her grandfather’s passing, Nyapendi, who has more than ten dependents, now resides with her grandmother, Francesca Ndira. After the assault, Ndira reported the incident to the local leaders, who issued a letter, and they subsequently went to Budhaya police post. Although the suspect has been spotted in the village, he continues to evade capture.
Busoga East Police spokesperson, Diana Nandaula, pledged to collaborate with her colleagues at Budhaya police post to address the situation. She urged community members to notify the authorities when the suspect is seen, emphasizing that they should refrain from taking matters into their own hands or harboring the suspect.
In May of this year, Nyapendi gave birth to a baby boy at Nankoma Health Centre in Bugiri District. She spent two months in the facility due to complications arising from her disability. After her hospital stay, she was reunited with her grandmother, Francesca Ndira, who now cares for both her and the child.
Ndira explained that Nyapendi was a healthy child until the age of seven when she contracted an inexplicable illness that manifested as malaria. She suddenly fell ill while fetching water at the well. She was admitted to the hospital, where she received intravenous treatment, but her condition deteriorated, leaving her with severe disabilities. By the age of nine, she was unable to walk or use one of her hands.
Ndira mentioned that this occurred during a period when Village Health Teams (VHTs) were visiting homes to promote polio immunization. Simultaneously, a religious cult, known as Ddini Nkalu, which opposed government programs, had a presence in Budhaya Sub-County. This cult resisted modern technologies, including immunization and mosquito spraying, and was active in several villages, including Namatu, Kawologoma, and Nsavu.
Dr. Stephen Kiirya, the Health Officer for Bugiri District, expressed uncertainty about the cause of Nyapendi’s disability.
Currently, the family faces various challenges and is in need of support. Ndira’s primary goal is to establish a stall where she and Nyapendi can sell Silver Fish (mukeene) and other items to provide for their dependents. Furthermore, Nyapendi urgently requires a wheelchair and a caregiver to help her regain mobility.
