Bushenyi District in western Uganda was shaken by a disturbing incident as police arrested a 22-year-old man on allegations of sodomizing a 12-year-old boy from the neighborhood. The suspect, whose identity is being withheld, is a casual laborer at Nyabwirima Cell in Bitooma Town Council.
According to Mr. Marcial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi police spokesperson, the victim, who is currently receiving treatment at Comboni Hospital in Kyamuhunga Sub County, is a friend of the suspect. The alleged incidents occurred between May 28 and June 1 when the victim disappeared from home on multiple occasions and returned in a distressed state.
Concerned about the sudden change in the boy’s walking style, his guardian, Ms. Edinah Ayebazibwe, questioned him. It was then that the victim revealed the harrowing ordeal, explaining that the suspect had taken him to his house, locked him up, and subjected him to forced anal intercourse.
Ms. Ayebazibwe promptly reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrest of the suspect. She revealed that the victim and the accused had been harvesting beans together at the time of the incident, highlighting the shock and betrayal felt by those close to the case.
This distressing incident follows the recent arrest of two individuals in the area on similar charges. One of the suspects, a former catechist, was apprehended alongside another person on allegations of aggravated human trafficking and sodomy involving a 20-year-old man.
The incident brings attention to the concerning issue of sexual crimes in Uganda. The 2022 Police Annual Crime Report revealed that a total of 12,780 victims were defiled in the country, with the majority being female. The report also indicated a slight decrease in reported cases of aggravated defilement compared to the previous year.
It is essential to note that Uganda recently enacted a new Anti-Gay Law in 2023, imposing severe penalties on individuals involved in same-sex acts. The law stipulates up to 20 years in prison for the offense of homosexuality, 14 years for attempted aggravated homosexuality, and varying sentences for related activities.
The arrest of the suspect in Bushenyi District serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for community awareness, education, and rigorous law enforcement to combat sexual crimes and protect vulnerable individuals, especially minors. Authorities must continue their efforts to address these grave violations and provide support to victims and their families.
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