An 18-year-old Tanzanian national, Kafta Queen, has been freed from Luzira Women's Prison after the High Court overturned her conviction for torturing her 15-year-old friend.
Kafta Queen was sentenced to three years in prison by the Kira Chief Magistrate's Court in January after she was found guilty of aggravated torture and intentionally inflicting bodily harm on her friend. The conviction was based on a viral video that showed Kafta Queen beating up the victim for allegedly trying to kidnap her boyfriend.
However, the High Court Judge, Margaret Mutonyi, ruled that the trial court had erred in its judgment and that there was insufficient evidence to support the conviction. The judge also found that the victim's injuries were not as serious as the prosecution had claimed.
As a result of the High Court's ruling, Kafta Queen was released from prison immediately. She was represented by lawyer Zimbe Zephania, who argued that the trial court had failed to properly consider the evidence in the case.
The State Attorney, Carol Tabaro, represented the respondent in the appeal. She argued that the trial court's judgment was sound and that there was sufficient evidence to support the conviction.