American couple to go on trial for child torture in Uganda

An American couple who traveled to adopt children from Uganda in 2017 will face trial in the East African country after a magistrate ruled the evidence brought against them in connection with the torturing and trafficking of a 10-year-old boy as sufficient. According to BBC, the minor in question was under the care of Mackenzie and Nicholas Spencer.

Authorities arrested the couple last December. In addition to the aforementioned allegations, they are also accused of entering Uganda without work permits. The Spencers, who have been in remand for three months, will answer the charges before the country’s international crimes division of the High Court.

Documents state that the Director of Public Prosecution plans to provide video evidence taken by a housemaid who was employed by the couple. The Spencers were said to be staying in the country’s capital city of Kampala when they allegedly tortured the minor under their care.

The video evidence allegedly shows the 10-year-old being left alone in a room that was tiled and cold. Besides being given frozen food to eat, the minor was also put under surveillance for 24 hours and was made to sit naked in one position.