Defilement still high in the west
Aug 08, 2007
DEFILEMENT remains a major problem facing the mid-western region. This was disclosed by the deputy regional Police commander, Suwed Tambwe, while releasing the crime statistics for January-June.
By Emmanuel Kajubu
DEFILEMENT remains a major problem facing the mid-western region. This was disclosed by the deputy regional Police commander, Suwed Tambwe, while releasing the crime statistics for January-June.
Over 485 cases of defilement were registered, with Kasese district leading with 121 incidents. Suwed said defilement in the region had increased because schoolgirls were falling victims to teachers and boda-boda cyclists.
He also attributed the increase to different cultures where girls are married off at an early age. “In Bundibugyo district, parents are marrying off their young daughters, not knowing that it is illegal.â€
The number of defilement cases, he added, may be higher because some cases are not reported to the Police but settled amicably between the victim’s parents and the suspects.
Tambwe said the Police was sensitising students and school administrators on the dangers of defilement.
In addition, 139 murder cases were registered in the region, with Kabarole district in the lead. He said land wrangles were the leading cause of murder in the area.
However, Tambwe noted that there was a decline in the crime rate compared to last year. A total of 3,489 cases were reported this year while 4,596 cases were reported in the same period in 2006.
He attributed the decline to increased awareness through community policing on radios.
Suwed further said the Police had increased patrols and opened up Police posts in crime-prone areas.
DEFILEMENT remains a major problem facing the mid-western region. This was disclosed by the deputy regional Police commander, Suwed Tambwe, while releasing the crime statistics for January-June.
Over 485 cases of defilement were registered, with Kasese district leading with 121 incidents. Suwed said defilement in the region had increased because schoolgirls were falling victims to teachers and boda-boda cyclists.
He also attributed the increase to different cultures where girls are married off at an early age. “In Bundibugyo district, parents are marrying off their young daughters, not knowing that it is illegal.â€
The number of defilement cases, he added, may be higher because some cases are not reported to the Police but settled amicably between the victim’s parents and the suspects.
Tambwe said the Police was sensitising students and school administrators on the dangers of defilement.
In addition, 139 murder cases were registered in the region, with Kabarole district in the lead. He said land wrangles were the leading cause of murder in the area.
However, Tambwe noted that there was a decline in the crime rate compared to last year. A total of 3,489 cases were reported this year while 4,596 cases were reported in the same period in 2006.
He attributed the decline to increased awareness through community policing on radios.
Suwed further said the Police had increased patrols and opened up Police posts in crime-prone areas.