Uganda nanny guilty of toddler torture

Kampala: A nanny in Uganda was caught on a secret camera beating a toddler mercilessly for spitting food.

The video, that went viral, showed the nanny slap the girl under the age of 2, in addition to kicking her and stomping on her.

The atrocious behaviour of the nanny came to light when father of the child planted a secret camera in the house. He allegedly beat the nanny when he saw the video.

The maid then reported a case of assault to the police, but the man presented footage of the nanny beating up his daughter to explain his violent reaction, according to Ugandan attorney Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi, a lawyer for Tumuhiirwe.

22-year old Jolly Tumuhiirwe, the nanny, pleaded guilty to charges of torturing the child.

The lawyer said his client did not understand the torture charge and would not have pleaded guilty if he had been present in court. He said he was late for the court session Monday and asked for an adjournment that was not granted.

"She has been convicted on her own plea of guilty. She did not understand what she was pleading to," he said. "You cannot charge people with such serious offences unless that they have legal representation in court."

Local police initially said she would be charged with attempted murder, and the police chief, Kale Kayihura, has since called for the official vetting and certification of potential nannies before they can be employed

When the video was released on social media last month, it sparked an uproar among Ugandans shocked by what appeared to be the savage beating of a toddler who had vomited food the nanny forced her to eat.

We warn this footage displays extreme cruelty.