Kyambogo lecturer in visually-impaired teen's defilement sent back to prison

By Deborah Mirembe
Kyambogo University lecturer Lawrence Eron was back before Nakawa Chief Magistrate Court today, July 17, to answer charges for defiling a 16-year-old visually impaired girl.
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Dr Eron Lawrence, a Senior Lecturer at Kyambogo, was on July 6 charged with aggravated defilement.
Prosecution alleges that he defiled and infected the teenage victim with HIV.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Christine Nantege for mention of that case again today, July 17, the suspect was not allowed to take plea an instead sent back to remand as the charges against him are capital in nature and can only be tried by the High Court.
The prosecution alleges that on October 12, 2023, between Kyambogo University and Namugongo Nsawo village in the Wakiso District, Dr Eron had carnal knowledge with a disabled girl aged 16 well knowing he was HIV-positive and also a person in authority over her.
Ms Peace Sserukuma, a resource mobiliser with Legal Actions for Persons With Disabilities, said it was good that Eron has started answering for his crime having earlier skipped police bond.
''We ask the court to grant justice to the victim because there have been cases of this kind but justice has not been served," she said.
Dr Eron, one of the founding lecturers of Kyambogo University, is said to have committed the offence while a coordinator of the “All we See is Possibility” project.
Under the project, Eron took four students to Nairobi, Kenya, for a conference last year. Upon return, he dropped three students to their destinations but allegedly sexually assaulted a 16-year-old.
The lecturer was arrested to help with investigations but on December 14, 2023 – a day after his case file was sanctioned for aggravated defilement when he was found to be HIV-positive, he skipped bond and went on the run.
Police would release a public appeal for his arrest with his image widely circulated. A Shs10 million bounty was placed on his head.
Upon his re-arrest, he was charged and remanded to prison.
Chief Magistrate Nantege adjourned the court to July 31 when the suspect returns for the mention of his case as investigations continue.