Relatives of the student who was shot through the mouth during a grisly operation by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Enforcement Officers and police, are seeking for justice saying the girl’s future is uncertain following the incident.
Nakato Sylvia, a close relative who is currently attending to the victim in Mulago Referral Hospital says the girl cannot speak, or eat, and that she suffered severe trauma which require psychological support. She says since the incident happened, the girl depends on liquids administered into her system.
Lowena 18, a S. 6 student at Nalya, Lugazi S.S.S was hit by a bullet along Old Taxi Park in Kampala while she was being escorted back to school by her mother. The bullet shattered her jaw leaving her with a disfigured face. Her mother also sustained a broken arm and she also awaits surgical treatment in Mulago Referral Hospital.
According to the doctors’ report, the bullet went through her mouth shattering the jaw and the upper lip before it exited from the other side. In the process, Lowena lost 7 teeth during the incident. Relatives demand that justice should be served since Lowena and her mother are innocent victims.
Nakato says doctors have recommended a surgical reconstruction procedure to Lowena’s jaw to have the teeth replaced (by artificial teeth), and the jaw bones reinforced with metal objects. The process according to doctors will take about six months within which she will not be able to eat or speak due to the devastation caused to the mouth.
She also said Lowena is an orphan whose life and studies depend on her mother who is also hospitalized. She says, as a girl, Lowena’s future is uncertain and they are not so sure if she will ever recover to her normal health. The initial medical bill for Lowena has been estimated at 15 million which relatives say they cannot afford.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson SP Patrick Onyango said investigations are going on to have the police officer who shot the student face the law. Onyango admitted that police used bullets during the operation.
Nakato says ever since the incident happened, the victims are yet to receive any support from agencies responsible, save for few police officers who came to record a statement.