Girl, 13, rescued from traffickers, defilers in Kabale
She was taken to Rwakashende village without her parent’s knowledge or consent, Police said.
A 13-year-old pupil at Kicumbi Primary School has been rescued from the clutches of suspected human traffickers and defilers in Kabale District.
The victim, a resident of Nyamarindira village, Kamuganguzi Sub-county, was allegedly lured by Steven Tumanye, 33, a businessman, with promises of better pay as a maid.
Tumanye, along with his accomplice Judith Ahimbisibwe, 41, a peasant, allegedly trafficked the girl from her home village to Rwakashende village, Kyanamira sub-county, where she was forced into domestic work and repeatedly defiled.
The victim's ordeal began on August 12, 2024, when Tumanye visited her home and convinced her to work as a maid.
She was taken to Rwakashende village without her parent’s knowledge or consent, Police said.
Over the next few days, Tumanye allegedly repeatedly defiled the girl, promising her better pay and even marriage.
However, when residents of Rwashende trading centre became suspicious of their relationship, Tumanye claimed the girl was his biological daughter.
The residents, unconvinced, alerted the area chairperson who, in-turn, notified the Police.
On August 21, Police along with the area chairperson, arrested the suspects and rescued the victim.
The Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, Mr Elly Maate, said the suspects are currently detained at Kabale Police Station.
He said a case of aggreviated trafficking and aggreviated defilement (CRB 632/2024) was opened, the scene of the crime was visited by D/SP Hakim Mukama who is the District CID officers and SGBV detectives, adding that relevant witness statements were obtained, exhibits were retrieved from the scene and the suspects were arrested.
"You can imagine, not even a chicken thief would do that. How can someone with common sense just take somebody’s child like that?" Maate said.
"Not only that, but he also used her sexually. So, we have arrested him along with his sister, who was keeping this girl where she was working. We presume that the two conspired to commit this offence."
Maate warned parents asking them to be responsible for their children, counsel and advise the to become future citizens.
“I want to condemn this and ask our people to be responsible for children," he said.
"Every society is responsible for children in that area because once these children grow and after school, they become good citizens, responsible people in offices they will benefit the whole society.””
