Family members arrested over child marriage

Police in Dokolo have arrested four members of a family for attempting to marry off their underage daughter.

The ‘potential husband' not identified yet had approached a 16-year old girl, with sh100, 000 and asked for her hand in marriage.

The girl rejected the money and fled to her aunt's place. The aunt convinced her to return home and the same man came back with sh250, 000 which she also rejected.

This enraged the parents who beat her and threaten to kill her. They also set ablaze her clothes.

The girl escaped and reported the case to Regorego Police post.

The suspects are identified as Patrick Otom, the father, Lily Akello, the mother, and her brothers Bonny Opio and Calvin Omoo, all residents of Regorego Trading center in Amwoma sub country.

Dokolo police Community Liason Officer (CLO) Julius Peter Onguu confirmed the arrest. He said the suspects will be charged with procuring defilement contrary to section 132 of the Penal Code Act and malicious damage.

The case is registered under reference number, SD 06/27/03/2017.