The latest Police annual crime report has indicated that 12,317 children were defiled in 2024 alone.
However, the 12,317 is a drop from the 13,000 reported in 2023
The police report indicates that of the 12,317 victims of defilement, 12,009 were female juveniles and 308 were male juveniles.
At 8,021, majority of the victims of defilement in 2024 were those between the age of 15 and 17 , followed by those between nine and 14 years at 2,514 victims.
“The category of 15–17 years are mainly victims of defilement due to Adolescent age where many young girls are taken advantage of, and some are defiled in the process of doing domestic chores like collecting water and firewood especially in the rural areas when they are sent alone,” the report says.
It adds that 283 children were defiled by suspects who are HIV positive while 87 children were defiled by biological parents and 171 children defiled by their guardians among others.
In terms of cases, the report says a total of 8,240 cases of defilement were reported to Police in 2024, compared to 8,925 cases reported in 2023, giving a 7.7% .
In terms of regions, North Kyoga Region registered the highest number of cases of defilement in 2024 (640 cases), followed by Elgon with 629 cases, East Kyoga with 531 cases, Greater Masaka with 489 cases and Albertine with 454 cases.
In terms of districts, Buyende with 210 cases leads the pack while Sironko at 141 cases, Mayuge with 131 cases and Kibuku with 122 cases follow respectively.
Rape
The report also indicates that 1,667 cases of rape were reported to Police in 2024 compared to 1,577 cases reported in 2023, giving an increase of 5.7%.
“ By the end of 2024, 690 cases of rape were taken to court, out of which 11 case was dismissed, 22 cases secured conviction, four cases were acquitted while 653 cases are still pending in court,” the report says.
It adds that 594 suspects of rape were charged in court and are still awaiting trial with Rwizi registering the highest number of rape cases at 144, followed by Kampala Metropolitan South at 120 cases, Kampala Metropolitan East with 111 cases, Kampala Metropolitan North with 110 cases, Albertine with 97 cases and Greater Masaka with 94 cases following in that order.