Woman charged, remanded over forcing daughter into prostitution

CHILD TRAFFICKING 
 
KAMPALA - A woman accused of forcing her 14-year-old daughter into prostitution in exchange for food and money has been charged with aggravated trafficking in children.

Zura Mukamana, 36, a resident of Masajja Kibira 'B' zone in Makindye-Ssabagabo in Kampala is battling the charge with Fred Bulega, 41.

Mukamana and Bulega were remanded to Kitalya and Kigo government prisons, respectively.

The duo was arrested a fortnight ago, subsequent to a video recording that was aired on social media in which the girl claims that she was forced by her mother to have sexual intercourse with different men.

Before the video went viral on social media, Mukamana had reported a case of a missing child at Salama Police Station but following intensive search, Police discovered the girl at her father's home where she had run for refuge.

The girl is currently five-months pregnant but uncertain of who among the men who defiled her is responsible for the pregnancy.

The accused persons face life imprisonment upon conviction of the charge that was read to them before the Makindye Chief Magistrate's Court in Kampala on Thursday.

The prosecution alleges that in December 2019, Mukamana by threat or use of force received and transferred a 14-year-old juvenile to the home of Bulega in Masajja, Makindye, for sexual exploitation.

The duo is battling the charges under section 3 of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2009.

Grade One Magistrate Patience Ronah Tukundane read out the charges to the accused but did not allow them to plead to the charge on grounds that it is a capital offence, only triable by the High Court.

"At this moment you are not allowed to say anything in court because the case is triable by the High Court, where you will be committed after investigations are complete," she said.

State prosecutor Gertrude Apio informed the court that investigations in the matter are incomplete and asked the court to adjourn the case to another mention date.

"I pray that you adjourn the case to another date to allow police complete investigations," she requested.

The case has been adjourned to June 5, 2020 for mention.