Former Bukwo District chairperson, Julius Chelimo, has been arrested for alleged aggravated defilement and trafficking in persons.
The LC5 chairman has been on the police’s wanted list for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl and Senior Three student in one of the schools in Sebei region.
Police spokesperson, SCP Fred Enanga, confirmed Chelimo’s arrest to SoftPower News on Monday afternoon.
“It’s true,” Enanga told SoftPower News, adding that the suspect, during the month of May 2022, trafficked and sexually assaulted, the 16-year-old victim, at various places in Mbale, Bukwo, Kapchorwa and Budaka districts.
“We gathered crucial evidence on the victim, exhibits of material value and a very good account of witnesses. We additionally sent out summons to the suspect, which he defied. He instead started evading arrest for over three months and resorted to the use of blackmail and threats to whoever he suspected of tracking and trailing him for arrest,” said Enanga.
According to Enanga, the Joint Security Teams of CID and Crime Intelligence obtained information about his hideout in Bukwo district, where they located and arrested him.
He was further transferred to the CID Headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala for further interviewing and court action.
According to a prior police statement, the victim left her parents’ home in Bukwo on November 28, 2021, for holidays in Kampala City and linked up with Chelimo at Shell Petrol Station Kireka on May 6, 2022, after being picked up from Usafi Market.
She was transported to Mbale and spent a night with the suspect at one of the hotels before returning home on May 7, 2022.
She again disappeared on May 18 but was traced to the home of Doreen Chesang and reunited with her family.
Later, she was again trafficked to the suspect’s relative’s home in Budaka District where he would occasionally pick her up and take her to a lodge.
Last week, media reports said Chelimo had resigned from his position citing alleged intrigue and a witch-hunt.
The state-run New Vision quoted Bukwo District Council Speaker, Melisa Cheptegei, saying Chelimo had stepped down from his position.