UGANDA: Court sentences man to 45 years in jail for defilement

By ISSA ALIGA

Masaka

The High Court in Masaka District has sentenced a 30-year-old man to 45 years in jail for defiling a three-year old-girl.

Lady Justice Oguli Ouma on Tuesday found that on September 24 2010, Robert Birakweta, a resident of Bamunakika Village in Lwengo Sub-county, Lwengo District, defiled his neighbour’s daughter at around 11am, when the victim’s mother had gone to the garden.

Birakweta lured a seven-year-old boy, who was taking care of the girl, and sent him to collect firewood.

When the boy returned, he found the victim baby crying. The matter was later reported to police and Birakweta was arrested and charged.

During the ruling, Justice Ouma said the girl was of a tender age who could not distinguish between what was right and wrong. Birakweta asked court for mercy, saying he had two wives and four children to take care of.

The same court also sentenced Emmanuel Tibyoruhanga, 30, to 40 years imprisonment for defiling a 16 year-old-girl and infecting her with HIV/Aids.

On September 19 2010, Tibyoruhanga, of Buwunga Sub-county defiled the girl yet he was HIV positive. Justice Ouma said the convict had violated the dignity of the girl which he was obliged to protect. Tibyoruhanga pleaded guilty, saying the girl looked older than her age.

Source: Daily Monitor (29/11/2012): http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-sentences-man-to-45-years-in-jail-for-defilement/-/688334/1632318/-/cf15vo/-/index.html