A university lecturer accused of severely burning her 16-year-old househelp with boiling water has been granted bail after spending a week on remand. Doreen Atwongyirwe was released by the Mbarara chief magistrate’s court, which made the decision based on the househelp’s request for Atwongyirwe’s release to ensure continued payment for her medical treatment.
The househelp, who is currently hospitalized and in critical condition, expressed the importance of receiving ongoing treatment, prompting the court to grant the lecturer bail.
Atwongyirwe’s lawyer stressed that his client had been providing care for the victim before her arrest and remains committed to covering the medical expenses.
Magistrate Andrew Kabombo set the bail amount at Shs1.5 million, with a warning that if Atwongyirwe fails to comply, her sureties would be arrested and required to pay Shs10 million.
The case is scheduled for a ruling on December 3.