A 58-year-old woman in Kawempe, a suburb of Kampala, is recovering from severe injuries after being attacked by her son-in-law, allegedly in retaliation for her daughter leaving an abusive marriage.
Fatima Nalumansi was reportedly assaulted by Jacob Otim, her daughter’s husband, after her daughter fled their marital home to escape years of domestic abuse. According to Fatima, the daughter had endured consistent physical and emotional violence before finally escaping to protect her life.
“She had suffered enough. She had to run for her own safety,” Fatima told reporters.
Violent Attack Over Bride Price
On the evening of January 26, Otim is said to have shown up at Fatima’s home demanding the whereabouts of his wife. Upon learning she was in hiding, he allegedly became enraged and demanded the return of the bride price he had paid. Witnesses say he then launched a violent assault on his mother-in-law.
“He beat me without mercy. I feared I wouldn’t survive,” Fatima recalled from her hospital bed.
She was rushed to a nearby clinic and treated for head trauma, fractured ribs, and multiple bruises. Medical staff say she remains under close observation.
Suspect Allegedly Boasts of High-Level Connections
Disturbingly, Otim is reported to have boasted of political protection, claiming he was untouchable due to his connections with powerful individuals.
“He told people to be ready with a second life if they dared go after him,” a frightened neighbor shared anonymously.
The suspect’s brazen comments have outraged community members and women’s rights advocates, who argue this reflects a wider culture of impunity.
“This is not just violence; it’s entitlement mixed with arrogance and the belief that power protects you from consequences,” said Angela Namugenyi, a women’s rights activist based in Kampala.
Demands for Arrest and Accountability
Fatima’s family has filed a police report, but Otim is reportedly still on the run, leaving the family in fear. Local leaders, including Pastor Samuel Kayongo, have joined calls for swift action.
“If people can assault others and claim protection from the law, then we’ve failed as a society,” Kayongo said.
Women’s groups are also demanding urgent protection for the family and legal action against Otim. They warn that such repeat offenders often escape justice when left unchecked.
“Justice must be served. We can’t normalize threats and abuse against women and their families,” Namugenyi emphasized.
A National Crisis of Abuse
Fatima’s case reflects a growing crisis of domestic violence in Uganda, where enforcement of the Domestic Violence Act of 2010 remains weak and many survivors lack access to shelters or legal aid.
Her experience highlights the risks faced not only by survivors but also by those who support them—especially in environments where patriarchal norms and bride price traditions complicate justice.
A Call for Justice
As Fatima Nalumansi continues to recover from her injuries, her family—and the wider community—waits for justice to be delivered. Police have yet to confirm whether an arrest warrant has been issued for Jacob Otim, but human rights advocates are monitoring the case closely.
“Uganda must stop burying its women in silence,” Namugenyi concluded. “The time to act is now.”
