1,413 children defiled in Teso
Apr 15, 2017
According to Police National data, a total of 32,540 children were defiled in Uganda between 2010 and 2016.
A total of 1,413 children were defiled in Teso region in 2015, the police have said.
Defilement is any sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 18 years old, whether or not the child consents.
Defilement can cause physical injuries inside and outside of the body (including cuts, tears, severe bleeding and damage to internal reproductive organs).
The victims also suffer psychological damage to victims (including depression, fear, anxiety, distrust and sometimes suicidal thoughts) death, unwanted pregnancies, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, interruption of schooling (as victims are often forced to drop out of school) and social stigma
According to Police Spokesperson for East Kyoga, Michael Odongo 17 of those cases were aggravated, 377 were taken to court, 132 were convicted, 571 are still under inquiry, four cases were dismissed, and 21 pending in court.
The Uganda Police National data, a total of 32,540 children were defiled in Uganda from 2010-2016.
Odongo blamed the rampant cases of defilement in the region on parents who always negotiate with the defilers. "We have also arrested and successfully prosecuted parents who negotiate with defilers," said in an exclusive interview with New Vision.
Sarah Amuge, appealed to the parents to always be mindful of the people their children associate with.
Michael Ebiaru a mother in Arapai sub-county, Soroti district said most of the children in Teso are defiled due to poverty, so their parents cannot afford to provide for them.
"And some children have refused to listen to the advice of their parents, and they want to live on their own," said Ebiaru
Melda Atim, a resident of Kumi town said the love for money is what is causing these children to be defiled.
District Woman MP for Soroti, Angelline Osege called on the parents to teach their children sex education so that they are not attempted to find by themselves by not indulging into sex.
"Also parents should stop sharing houses with their aged 5 years and above," she said.