Police sound alarm as aggravated defilement cases surge in Kampala

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Police have urged parents to heighten vigilance following a sharp rise in cases of sexual violence against children in Kampala, particularly girls aged between one and 14 years.

Speaking during the launch of a child protection programme in Makerere Kavule on Wednesday, July 25 2025, Harriet Kyahuwenda, the Child and Family Protection Officer at Wandegeya Police Station, described a disturbing increase in such cases.

In 2024, Kampala Metropolitan North Police (Kawempe) recorded the second-highest number of aggravated defilement cases in the country, registering 263 incidents.

This figure came second only to the Greater Masaka region, which reported 342 cases. Nationally, the crime rose by 5.7%, increasing from 3,846 cases in 2023 to 4,072 in 2024.

“I handled a case shortly after being transferred to Wandegeya, where a 40-year-old man defiled a seven-year-old girl,” Kyahuwenda recalled.

“We traced the suspect using CCTV footage and arrested him, but the girl suffered horrific trauma. She was in a coma, lost her uterus during surgery, and now has a permanent dislocation.”

 Stakeholders led by Rescue One More founder Scot Lambie (second right) cut a cake during the the inauguration of a joint program against child sexual violence at TwinTower Hotel in Kampala on Wednesday.

She made these remarks during the launch of a joint programme against child sexual violence, organised by Rescue One More and Cornerstone Development Africa.

Launched in June 2022, the initiative focuses on preventing child sexual abuse and supporting survivors throughout Kampala District.

Geoffrey Rwakabale, the Kawempe Division town clerk, expressed gratitude to the NGOs behind the programme, noting that while the government bears the responsibility for child protection, its resources are limited.

“One in every three girls in Kawempe has experienced sexual violence, and one in six boys has also faced abuse,” he said.

“This is a societal crisis that requires collective action from religious leaders to cultural institutions.”

He emphasised the importance of treating every child as one’s own, warning that the trauma of sexual abuse extends beyond the victims to entire communities.

Scot Lambie, the founder of Rescue One More, explained that the initiative aims to bolster the government’s broader efforts to tackle violence against children.

He revealed that the idea for the project began in 2021, inspired by his adopted daughter—a Ugandan girl now living in the United States—who bravely shared her story after surviving sexual violence before joining their family.

“She had nightmares and episodes of depression, and we could never fully understand what was happening. However, when she began to share her story, we realised that there was a bigger issue that needed to be addressed,” he said.

Lambie added that they have established community action teams in Wakiso, Mukono, Makindye, Central Division, Rubaga, and now Kawempe.

“While we currently don’t have a presence in Nakawa, our goal is to extend to all major cities across the country, and eventually, to every district in Uganda,” he said.

Kawempe mayor Emmanuel Sserujongi, the chief guest at the event, called on parents to actively ensure their children’s safety.

He noted that while the government is making an effort, it cannot be present everywhere.

“It is up to us to prevent these abuses; we should not rely solely on assistance from abroad. Let’s take responsibility ourselves,” he said.

Peter Mayanja, a probation officer from Kawempe, criticised some Local Council I chairpersons for mediating between victims’ families and suspects, a practice that often obstructs justice.

“These informal settlements deny justice to children. In some cases, the trauma is so severe that parents have attempted suicide,” he said.

“While victims have predominantly been girls, cases involving boys are also increasing.”

Counsellor Yusuf Sengoba advised caregivers to remain alert to behavioural changes in children that may signal abuse.

“Abused children often withdraw from social interactions, lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, or become irritable and tearful,” he noted.

According to Harriet Adongpin, the programme manager, 402 victims of sexual violence have been rescued since 2022: 194 in Makindye, 116 in Rubaga, 78 in Kampala Central, and 14 in Kawempe.

“We provide shelter, counselling, and legal support to survivors,” Adongpin said.

“Through school and community sensitisation, we have reached over 5,000 people. We’re thankful to the police and leaders who have supported this effort.”