51-yr-old man jailed for defiling 3-yr-old

By Wilfred Lamony Jwee

GULU High Court has sentenced a 51-year-old man to 20 years imprisonment for aggravated defilement 

Richard Bua a resident of Ogwach village in Lalogi Sub-County, Gulu district was convicted for defiling a three and half year old girl.

Doreen Adyero ,the state prosecutor told court that Bua on the 8th August, 2014 contrary to section 129 [3] and [4] of the Penal Code Act defiled the girl.

Bua pleaded guilty, prayed for forgiveness and requested for a plea bargain with the relatives of the victim under the guidance of his defense lawyer and prosecution.

Presiding judge Justice Margaret Mutonyi in her ruling sentenced Bua to 20 years imprisonment taking into account the period the defendant spent on remand.

The same court also sentenced Simon Odong, 24, to 10 years imprisonment for aggravated defilement after he pleaded guilty.

Court heard that Odong on 4th October 2012 from Palenga Bar village in Bobi sub county, Gulu district contrary to section 129 [3] and [4] [a] and [d] sexually defiled a disabled 14 year-old-girl.

Odong asked court for lenience citing his five children he looks after, chronic chest pains, three dependents and a sick wife.

Justice Mutonyi in her ruling noted that the maximum jail term for aggravated defilement is death and the minimum jail term is 35 years imprisonment but by pleading guilty the defendant had saved court’s time and resource and thus sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment.

Justice Mutonyi however noted that women or girls with disabilities have equal rights and men should not always take advantage of their disabilities to sexually abuse them.