Police in Jinja are holding a Pentecostal Pastor on allegations of defiling a 16-year old girl.
ASP Charles Twiine, the Police CID spokesperson, has identified the suspect ad Masiga Robert, 40, of Christ is the Answer Church in Jinja.
He says after the arrest, a search at his home uncovered about 30 children in his house held incommunicado.
“Upon search, more 32 children aged between 3 and 18 years were found in his residence held incommunicado,” says ASP Twiine.
The CID spokesperson who did not give further details says Masiga has among others been charged with aggravated trafficking.
Last year’s annual crime police report indicated that 14,230 girls were defiled in Uganda. According to the report, the 14,230 girls was a 3.8% increase from the 13613 reported in the year 2019.
Of the 14230 girls, 9,954 victims were between the age of 15 and 17 whereas 2,986 were between the age of 14 and nine and 1,280 were below the age of eight.
“The category of 15 –17 years are mainly victims of defilement due to some cultural norm still practiced where girls who have developed breasts are considered ready for marriage,” the report read in part.
These defilement cases are also due to adolescent age where many young girls are taken advantage of whereas some of the girls are defiled in the process of doing domestic chores like collecting water and firewood especially when they are sent alone,” it added.
The report also indicated that 301 children were defiled by suspects who are HIV positive whereas 120 children were defiled by their own biological parents.