Uganda's athletics coach accused of infecting girls with HIV

By Daniel Edyegu

The charge against the embattled former police athletics coach, Peter Wemali, has been amended from rape to aggravated defilement following a medical examination on the accused which indicated that he is HIV positive. 

Wemali appeared before Kapchorwa chief magistrate, RobbsWilliam Komaketch on Thursday.

A prosecutor in the case who requested anonymity explained that whereas Wemali had initially been charged with raping three female athletes, the case took a new twist following subsequent police investigations into the matter. The prosecutor explained that the charges were amended to aggravated defilement on two grounds.

“Basing on complaints from three female athletes against Wemali for coercing them into sex, we had initially preferred the charge of rape against him. But the police medical examination report indicates that the accused is HIV positive which is why we changed it to aggravated defilement implying the accused committed the offense with cardinal knowledge of his health status to punish his victims.”

“Secondly, being a police coach, he was in charge of the athletes. When you abuse and harm the person you are supposed to protect, that becomes an aggravated offense,” the prosecutor added.

Komaketch explained that police is still carrying out investigations into the case and the accused would thereafter be committed to the High court for trial. The constitution allows a period of six months to carry investigations in to capital offenses.

Aggravated defilement carries a maximum death sentence.

Peter Wemali (Blue shirt) after a court hearing

“This (magistrates) court cannot handle this case. We are still gathering more evidence into the matter until findings are exhaustive. Thereafter, we will refer the case to high court for trial,” Komaketch explained.

The charge sheet states that all the offenses were committed in 2013.

Curious residents filled up the court while those who couldn’t be accommodated inside stood outside court, scrambled for space outside court and followed proceedings through the windows. Police stood at the door of the court to bar residents from forcing their way inside.

James Ruhweza, the Sippi regional police commander revealed that three more girls have reported to police accusing Wemali of rape and child neglect after fathering children with them.

“One of the complainants claims to have two kids with him while the two each have a child with Wemali. We are still making investigations into these additional allegations. Complainants are actually increasing and we encourage anybody who has a complaint against the case to come forward. Nobody is above the law,” Ruhweza stressed.

During Wemali’s first appearance in the same court two weeks back, police had to fire teargas in the air to disperse furious residents who had thronged the court to follow the case.

The case has attracted mixed reactions among residents in the district. Kevin Alimo, 24, a dramatist in the town who turned up in court to follow the proceedings said it has set a good precedent for persons in authority.

“Guilty or not guilty, people in authority have got to learn to respect females under their care. Let him (Wewmali) prove the innocence he has been trumpeting about to the court, ” Alimo said.

An athlete who requested anonymity said the prosecution of Wemali has restored more confidence among the athletes to participate in games a sense of security.

“Athletes are ambassadors for the country. Imagine athlete Moses Kipsiro pulled out of the China marathon because of this issue.

Instead of spending billions on public relation to the external community, Government boost and clean up the sports disciplines so sportsmen polish up the image of the country abroad.”

Wemali was remanded at Kapchorwa prisons until May 14 when the case comes up for mention in court.

RELATED STORIES:

Uganda's athletics coach arrested for alleged rape