Ex-Bukwo boss denied bail over witness interference allegations

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The International Crimes Division of the High Court has declined to grant bail to former Bukwo district LC5 chairperson Julius Chelimo on grounds that he could interfere with prosecution witnesses and investigations.

In a ruling dated March 20, 2026, Justice Richard Wejuli Wabwire said Chelimo has a history of intimidating witnesses and persuading them to withdraw complaints.

“Bail is denied because the witnesses have to be protected, especially in offences involving children, where the court must ensure the integrity of the process,” the judge ruled.

Justice Wabwire noted that although Chelimo had demonstrated that he has a fixed place of abode and presented substantial sureties, the charges he faces are grave in nature.

Chelimo is facing charges of aggravated trafficking in children, contrary to sections 3(1)(a) and 5(a) of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, and aggravated defilement, contrary to sections 129(3) and 4(c) of the Penal Code Act.

According to the judge, aggravated trafficking in children carries a maximum sentence of death upon conviction, while aggravated defilement attracts a life imprisonment sentence.

Chelimo’s co-accused, Felix Chelimo and Joshua Kwemoi, are charged with promoting trafficking in persons, contrary to section 7(a) of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act. The three accused persons have since denied the charges.

The court further declined to grant Chelimo bail after noting that he had previously absconded from police bond, raising concerns that he might fail to appear for trial if released.

“Court cannot be persuaded by the accused. The application for bail is hereby dismissed, and a speedy trial shall proceed,” Justice Wabwire directed.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that on October 21, 2022, at Cairo village, Chepkwasta subcounty in Bukwo district, Chelimo recruited or received a 16-year-old girl (name withheld) by means of abuse of power or position of vulnerability for the purpose of sexual exploitation. He is also accused of defiling the said girl.

Meanwhile, Felix Chelimo, a mason, is accused of allowing his house, building or establishment to be used for purposes of sexual exploitation.

Court documents indicate that at the time of the incident, the victim was living with her elder sister (name withheld) at Sere village, Cheptesta subcounty in Bukwo district.

“Chelimo developed interest in having a sexual relationship with the victim. He approached the victim through several people, but she declined. Chelimo then decided to use Kwemoi, the victim’s uncle, to lure the victim into having a sexual relationship with him,” a court indictment reads in parts.

According to the prosecution, on October 21, 2022, after two failed attempts, Kwemoi succeeded in persuading the victim to accompany him to meet Julius Chelimo, who took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability and persuaded her to sleep with him on premises that he was going to give her money.

Subsequently, Kwemoi allegedly took the girl to Felix Chelimo’s home, where they found the Bukwo chairperson waiting. Kwemoi purportedly ushered the victim to the guest bedroom, and Chelimo forced her into having sexual intercourse with him several times.

Chelimo, according to the prosecution, later employed tactics of promising to marry the girl and settle her in Kampala, in vain.

About Chelimo

At the time of his arrest, Julius Chelimo had resigned from his post as LC5 chairperson in a letter dated October 24, 2022, addressed to the district speaker, Melisa Cheptege.

Julius Chelimo was a rebel leader of the now-defunct Uganda Saving Force, which operated from 2013 to 2016, but was granted amnesty by President Yoweri Museveni in April 2016.

Thereafter, Chelimo joined politics and won in the 2021 general election to become the Bukwo district chairperson.