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The International Crimes Division of the High Court has confirmed charges of aggravated trafficking in children against David Kasibante and Mariam Namakula.

The Nakasero-based court presided over by Justice Susan Okalany on November 20, 2023, confirmed both charges of aggravated trafficking in children and defilement. 

Kasibante and Namakula are jointly charged with aggravated trafficking in children, while Kasibante was charged alone with aggravated defilement. 

Okalany stated that the confirmation of the charges is to determine whether the case should be moved to the next stage of the trial. 

Kasibante and Namakula are charged under the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2009. 

In the second count, Kasibante is charged with aggravated defilement contrary to Section 129(3) and 4(a) of the Penal Code. 

The prosecution alleges that between December 2018 and April 2021, at Seeta in Mukono District and Nanfuka Zone-Nateete, Rubaga Division in Kampala, the accused persons recruited, transferred, and harboured an underage girl for sexual exploitation. 

“I must determine whether the evidence disclosed by the prosecution in this case is sufficiently strong to move me to confirm the charges and present the accused to the Trial Court for the hearing of the said evidence. Clearly, the standard of substantial grounds to believe is a lesser one than the standard of prima facie case that is required by courts to put an accused person to his or her defence,” Okalany said.