Man defiles 7-yr-old niece, infects her with HIV

The Police in Mpigi district has arrested a 38-year-old man who allegedly defiled his seven-year-old niece and infected her with HIV.

Joseph Kaweesi, a resident of Lukango village in Kamengo sub-county, was arrested by the Police on September 29, following reports that he allegedly defiled his niece.

According to an October 7 Police statement signed by the force's spokesperson, Fred Enanga, the suspect was arrested following a medical test done at a medical facility in Mpigi, which diagnosed the victim, a primary 4 pupil, with HIV.

On learning that their sickly daughter had tested HIV positive, the girl's parents decided to go for an HIV test which found both to be HIV negative. 

At this point, the victim revealed how the suspect, her maternal uncle, defiled her on three separate occasions from his garden at Lukango village in 2017.

She added that the suspect threatened to kill her if she ever revealed the matter to anyone. 

"The matter was, however, brought to the attention of her parents in 2018, who were equally threatened by the suspect, till September 2019, when the intelligence was picked by the Police," a statement from the Police said.

Upon examining Kaweesi, he was found to be HIV positive and undergoing Anti-Retroviral treatment. Kaweesi now faces charges of aggravated defilement.

According to section 129 (3) of the Penal Code (Amended), the maximum penalty for the offence of Aggravated Defilement, which is contrary to section 129 (3) and (4) (a) of the Penal Code Act, is death.

The Police urged parents, guardians and caregivers to watch over their children, saying that known persons including friends and relatives are the number one perpetrators of criminal sexual abuse against children. 

"Parents, guardians and caregivers are therefore advised to closely watch out for early signs of child sexual abuse and to always come forward early enough and report to the police. For instance, the victim could have been put on PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) treatment and saved from the deadly disease during the first 72 hours if it had been reported," the Police observed.

The victim is currently undergoing counselling sessions by a team of specialists and she has also been put on treatment.