Three bodaboda riders remanded over defiling students

MUKONO - Three bodaboda riders, who allegedly took advantage of the trust put in them by the parents of two young girls to transport them to school and instead defiled them, have been arraigned before Mukono Chief Magistrate Paul Watyama.

Ali Ssentongo, 27, a resident of Ndese, in Kasawo sub-county, Mukono district, Shafik Nsubuga, and Juma Sayd Mukiibi, 21, a resident of Kimenyedde, according to the prosecution led by Marvin Ninyesiga, committed the offence between January 4 and 17, 2026.

The offence was allegedly committed in Mukono district’s villages of Ndese and Jjumbwe.

Ssentongo and Nsubuga had been assigned to transport the girls on a daily basis to a school in Ndeese. Addressing journalists at the Police headquarters in Naguru early this week, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala described the case as a disturbing betrayal of parental trust.

“The suspect broke the trust of the parents. Rather than take the child to school, he would reportedly divert her and sexually abuse her,” Kawala said.

Sentongo’s alleged crimes came to light on February 24 this year when he was trailed and reportedly caught in the act. Police investigations further revealed that Sentongo’s misconduct extended beyond one victim.

He is accused of transporting another 15-year-old girl, a friend of his victim and handing her over to Nsubuga, who allegedly also defiled her.

 Mukiibi is accused of having defiled a 17-year-old student.

However, during the March 5, 2026, court session, all the accused denied the charges and were remanded to Kauga prison until March 16, when they are expected to be brought back for mention of their cases.

Crime report

According to the 2024 Police annual crime report, a total of 14,425 Sex-related cases were reported to the Police across the country, representing 6.6% of the overall registered crimes in this category countrywide, compared to 14,846 cases reported in 2023, giving a decrease by 2.8%.

Out of the 14,425 sex-related crimes, 6,584 cases were taken to court, 2,744 cases were not proceeded with, while 5,097 cases are still under inquiry.

Out of the total cases taken to Court, 749 cases secured convictions, 63 cases were acquitted, 454 cases were dismissed, while 5,318 cases are still pending in Court.

Out of 14,479 persons that were victims of sex-related crimes, 12,202 were Female Juveniles, 61 were Male Juveniles, 74 were male adults, while 2,142 were female adults. Comparison of sex-related Cases from 2019 to 2024.

There was a slight decrease in cases of Sex-related offences from 14, 846 cases in 2023 to 14,424 cases in 2024