Village Leader, One Other Arrested Over Viral Video of Teen's Marriage
Poverty has long been cited as a driving factor behind the persistence of child marriages in Busoga, with some parents reportedly accepting dowries and small gifts in exchange for marrying off their underage daughters.
Police in Buyende have arrested a 23-year-old man and a local council chairman over a viral video depicting the traditional marriage of a 17-year-old girl, which authorities say was an act of child defilement.
The suspects, identified as Wycliff Mugeere, a resident of Namalogwe, and Moses Mutaka, the girl's father and LC I chairman of Bukyaala Village, were taken into custody after the footage surfaced online.
According to preliminary investigations, Mutaka hosted the ceremony at his home on March 2, 2025, where he gave his underage daughter to Mugeere as a wife.
The two have been living together since.
Busoga North regional police spokesperson ASP Michael Kasadha confirmed the arrests, stating that further investigations are underway to identify additional suspects.
He reiterated the police's commitment to enforcing laws against child marriage and protecting minors from exploitation.
Authorities have warned the public against engaging in practices that violate children's rights, emphasising that those found culpable will face the full extent of the law.
The case has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many calling for harsh penalties against perpetrators of defilement.
Busoga remains one of the regions with the highest rates of teenage pregnancies and child marriages.
A recent UNAIDS report indicated that 130,530 girls aged 15 to 19 became pregnant in the region during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, with Kamuli and Mayuge districts registering the highest numbers.
In response, the UN last year appointed Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV as a goodwill ambassador to spearhead efforts against child marriages and teenage pregnancies in Uganda.
The Busoga Kingdom subsequently launched the 'Abasadha n’Empango' campaign—translated as “men are the pillars”—to raise awareness within communities.
The viral video, reportedly shared by a concerned citizen, has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of child protection laws.
Poverty has long been cited as a driving factor behind the persistence of child marriages in Busoga, with some parents reportedly accepting dowries and small gifts in exchange for marrying off their underage daughters.
