According to the breakdown, 20 cases were reported in Kibaale, 34 in Kiryandongo, 16 in Buliisa, 21 in Kakumiro, 22 in Masindi, 20 in Hoima, 27 in Kikuube and 31 in Kagadi.
Police have raised a red flag over the escalation
of defilement cases in the Albertine region during the COVID-19 lock down.
Statistics from the Criminal investigations department in the
region show 191 defilement cases were recorded between March and May in the
region.
81 suspects were taken to court and charged accordingly. The remaining cases
are still under investigations.
According to the breakdown, 20
cases were reported in Kibaale, 34 in Kiryandongo, 16 in Buliisa, 21 in
Kakumiro, 22 in Masindi, 20 in Hoima, 27 in Kikuube and 31 in Kagadi.
Julius
Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police spokesperson, says simple defilement, which
involves girls between 14 and 18 years is the most common form of defilement.
He explains that some of the teenagers are
forced into marriage by their parents who want to make quick bucks from
defilers.
//Cue in; ”For the last…
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According to Hakiza, the cases could be much
more compared to those recorded by police.
//Cue in: ”Most of those…
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Ali Tinkamanyire, the Buseruka Sub county LC 3
Chairperson where defilement cases have escalated because of the influx of
people looking for work in the oil and gas industry, says their efforts to curb
defilement are frustrated by some parents and unscrupulous police officers
who conspire with defilers.
According to Tinkamanyire, children are facing sexual
abuse at the hands of people meant to protect them.
Pius Wakaba, the Bugahya County Member of parliament, says sexual
abuse of children is silently ruining the country’s next generation.
He
expresses displeasure at government’s failure to implement stringent laws
against defilement.
