Father helps son to defile 17-year-old student, arrested
Uganda police explained that sex crimes against children and in particular school goers are very disturbing.
The Directorate of CID in coordination with Kiruhura Territorial Police has in custody five suspects linked to the alleged kidnap of a 17-year-old schoolgirl.
The suspects are also being charged with a case of trafficking with intent to forcefully marry her off and for aggravated defilement.
According to Police, the parents of the 17-year-old girl who was in her senior 4 vacation reported her alleged disappearance on the 10th of February 2023, which was later discovered to be an abduction, at Nkungu Police Station in Kazo, Kiruhura District.
Upon investigations, Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, notes that the school girl was victimized as she prepared to join A-level in furtherance of her studies.
He said it was established that the victim was abducted by Kanzira Napoleon for marriage in conspiracy with his father identified as Kwetesa John.
“She was forced into a motor vehicle that was being driven by a one, Arinaitwe Sam, the uncle to the suspect who transported them up to the home of Katera John where both the girl and the prime suspect were hidden.
That very night, the girl was sexually assaulted by the suspect who, upon arrest, admitted how he was aware that he was dealing with an underage girl,” Enanga revealed.
The 5 suspects according to Enanga include Kanzira Napoleon, the alleged defiler, Kwetesa John (his father), Arinaitwe Sam (his uncle), Katera John and his wife Karuza Janet (where both the girl and suspect were hiding), for various offences of Child Kidnap, trafficking in persons and aggravated defilement.
Uganda police explained that sex crimes against children and in particular school goers are very disturbing.
It said the suspect and his conspirators deliberately preyed on a vulnerable child, after abducting her, in a cultural practice that is archaic, unconstitutional and violates the rights of a girl child.
“The practice puts the girl child at risk of sexual violence on their forced wedding night, draws them into premature motherhood and the pressure to bear children. We call upon the public to reject as illegal, the practice of child marriage in communities, ” added Enanga the Police Spokesperson.
The arrest of the suspects reflects the severity of the crime and the police applauds the parents, the girl victim and everyone who worked with the police to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
Police remain committed to investigating and arresting individuals who sexually exploit children.
The victim according to police was recovered and is being managed by a team of experts from the Gender Unit at CID Headquarters.
