Three people have been arrested by Police in Kisoro over allegations that they were involved in marrying off a female minor.
The three are currently being detained for marrying off a 16 year old girl (names withheld for protection).
According to Elly Matte, the Police Spokesperson for Kigezi Region, the girl was married off five months ago and has since been cohabiting with the man until yesterday morning when they went to Bizenga Catholic church for Holy Matrimony which was to be presided over by Rev Father Sebatware Joseph of Mutolere.
However, Police was notified and ran to the church where they stopped the matrimonial process from taking place.
Those arrested include; 19-year-old Asiimwe John (the defiler) together with his father, Akizimana Frogensi. The other is Kemirembe Scola, the mother of the girl, all residents of Bizenga village, Nyondo sub county in Kisoro district.
Police say that Asiimwe had paid dowry of one cow and Shs 1.5 million to marry the girl.
Asiimwe’s acts were in violation of Chapter 14, Section 129 (1) of the Penal Code which states that “Any person who unlawfully has sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of eighteen years commits an offence and is liable to suffer death”.
The parents of the young couple are also culpable for procuring defilement as stipulated in Section 132 (1) (a) of the Penal Code. It states that “Any person who by threats or intimidation procures or attempts to procure any woman or girl to have any unlawful carnal connection, either in Uganda or elsewhere commits a misdemeanour”.
The father of the victim who married off the daughter, is on the run.
“It is very unfortunate. I want to warn parents from acts of lawlessness that violate the rights of children, especially those [parents] who want to marry off young ones before the accepted age,” the Kigezi Police spokesperson said.
He also cautioned religious leaders to take heed and stop such acts that endanger young girls.