Mbale man detained over rape, human trafficking
Elgon region police spokesperson Rodgers Taitika confirmed the arrest, stating that Okello is facing charges of rape, trafficking in persons, simple robbery, and malicious property damage.
Okello locked himself inside with the victim, allegedly undressed and raped her and damaged her phone.
Simon Masaba
Journalist @New Vision
MBALE - Samples have been taken to the Government Analytical Laboratory (GAL) for confirmation in the case of a 33-year-old man accused of rape, human trafficking and robbery in Mbale city.
The development follows Mbale Industrial Police holding Wilson Okello, a resident of Pabwok trading centre in Tororo district, over allegations that he lured a 30-year-old woman with promises of securing her a job abroad, only to sexually assault her in a guest house in Mbale City.
Elgon region police spokesperson Rodgers Taitika confirmed the arrest, stating that Okello is facing charges of rape, trafficking in persons, simple robbery, and malicious property damage.
How the crime unfolded
According to Police findings, on March 1, Okello convinced the victim, a tailor from Buyaga sub-county in Bulambuli district, that he had secured a group of women preparing to travel for domestic work abroad.
He then urged her to travel with him to Mbale to meet them for easy planning.
Upon arrival in Mbale town, Okello took the victim to a guest house in Maluku, Mbale Industrial Division, where he claimed the other women would meet her.
However, once inside the room, he locked her in, took her bag containing shillings 160,000, a mobile phone, and her national identity card, and left.
He later returned, locked himself inside with her, allegedly undressed and raped her and damaged her phone.
Taitika revealed that police swiftly responded to the case after the lodge owner reported the matter- and so far: The victim was medically examined using PF3A, and samples, including blood and vaginal swabs, were extracted for forensic analysis at GAL.
- She was introduced to Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent infections.
- Statements were recorded from eyewitnesses, including lodge attendants.
Initial investigations have revealed that Okello does not work for any recruitment company involved in securing jobs abroad.
“Inquiries into the matter are still ongoing, and we will ensure justice is served,” Taitika added.