Two arrested for negotiating defilement case

Police in Bushenyi are holding a father for negotiating a payment in a defilement case involving his 15-year-old daughter.

Gordon Natweta, a resident of Swazi parish in Kyamuhunga sub-county in Bushenyi district was arrested together with his relative Edward Muhangi, a teacher, on charges of conspiracy to defeat justice.

Natweta had reported to police the alleged defilement of his daughter by a one Dan Muhwezi which led to the arrest of the accused man and prompting police investigations.

Muhangi also came in to support efforts in investigating the case and pleaded with police not to release the alleged defiler on grounds that the case may die if he was given police bond.

But in a dramatic twist, Muhangi told police to release the accused, saying they wanted to withdraw the case and negotiate outside court, something that angered police who had invested time into the investigations.

"Why are they using police to negotiate a settlement and bribes outside court yet this is a capital offence?" wondered the mid-south western region police commander, Micheal Musani.

"Surprisingly the defiler is HIV-infected but the parents are not bothered about it."

 Musani explained the girl was tested and found HIV negative but was put on treatment.

"She is supposed to be checked again after six months," he said. The girl was being sponsored by a charity organization (Compassion) at Kyamuhunga Technical Institute.

 Musani advised parents to let the law take its course in cases of such nature.  "Once one has committed such an offence, it will have to be settled by court."

He said the two will be taken to court on charges of conspiracy to defeat justice and compounding felony.