Parents arrested over marrying off 16-year-old

CRIME | DEFILEMENT

KISORO - Police in Kisoro have arrested three people over marrying off a 16-year-old girl.

The arrested people include John Asiimwe, 19 ‘bridegroom', his father Frogensi Akizimana and Scola Kemirembe, the mother of the girl. All of them were residents of Bizenga village, Nyundo sub-county, Kisoro district.

According to Elly Maate, the Kigezi Police spokesperson, the trio is in detention for abetting defilement.

He told New Vision that girl had been married off five months ago and had been cohabiting with Asiimwe until Sunday when they had gone to Bizenga Catholic Church for a wedding ceremony, which was to be presided over by the Rev. Fr. Joseph Sebatware of Mutolere Deanery.

New Vision also learnt that the Asiimwe's parents had informed their counterparts at girl's home about the upcoming wedding.

"Police received information and was swift enough and picked them from church, before they were joined and are being detained for questioning," Maate said.

According to reports, the girl's father, who allegedly received sh1.5m and one cow as dowry is on the run.

Maate warned parents to desist from such acts or else face the law.