Uganda - violence
Victims of acid attacks
Saturday 30 August 2008
In Uganda, acid is a weapon used for personal revenge that brutally disfigures people. The cruel practice first appeared 30 years ago in East Africa. In this country, attacks are seeing an unparalleled frequency and causing great social distress.
Saturday 30 August 2008
By Marco Oved Chown, Gabriel Kahn, Jocelyn Grange and Grégoire Ozan in Kampala, UgandaIn Uganda, acid is used for far more sinister ends than running car’s batteries. It’s a weapon… one that is being used to settle scores, brutally disfiguring people. The cruel practice appeared 30 years ago in east Africa.
And here, attacks have an unparalleled frequency. Each year the number of victims grows. Mostly women, they’re disfigured by jealous husbands. Even children aren’t exempt and their suffering has only just begun. Acid victims spend months in the hospital.
In order to reconstruct their skins and regain the use of injured limbs, daily care is required. It helps fend off the depression…Mohammed Juma was 21 when he was attacked by a rival businessman. He has since joined a foundation for acid survivors, which helps more than 400 victims. Mohammed has also found work here… he makes specially-designed clothing for prosthetic limbs. Acid survivors want justice. They want perpetrators to be sent to prison for life. They’re also seeking to have the sale of acid controlled in Uganda.
17/09/2008 05:39:51 Alert a moderator
Need info on how to help
By J. Gracey -
It would be nice to know if there was a way to contribute to the foundation to help acid victims. This is such a sad situation, frightening too. My thoughts and prayers are with those that have suffered in this way.
04/08/2008 11:53:26 Alert a moderator
credit?
By Marco Chown OVED - Paris
hello internet people at france 24.
hope alls well in issy. I have a little request: I'm working on beefing up my television freelancing credentials, and I noticed that while my name appears in the video, the report only has the other journalists names. mind adding mine?
thanks a million
props from the maison de radio...
marco