Missing girl found in hotel with soldier in Kabale

A 16- year-old girl that went missing from her home has been found in a hotel with a Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier in Kabale district.

To locate her whereabouts, her parents reported to the Police a case of disappearance.

After the probe was launched, investigating officers traced the girl to a hotel, where the duo had spent three nights of pleasure, according to the Police.
 
So far, the Police have arrested Onesmus Munanura, 23, over a defilement case.

Defilement attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
 
He (Munanura), who has been undergoing a refresher course was picked from a hotel with the girl.

Until last Wednesday, Munanura (RA 242371), was attached to the 5th Division but undergoing a refresher course in Ruhengyere Kiruhura district.

The suspect is a resident of Kakatunda village, Rukiga district.
 
Excerpts of the Police preliminary report seen by New Vision, indicate that; "Munanura was caught pants down at Highland hotel in Kabale municipality. They booked into the facility on June 14."

Report

In 2019, a total of 13,613 cases of defilement were reported to Police compared to 15,366 cases reported in 2018, giving 11.4% decrease.

By the end of the year, 5,732 cases were taken to court, out of which 1,021 cases secured convictions, 69 cases were acquitted, 474 cases were dismissed and 4,168 cases were still pending in court. A total of 4,897 cases were still under investigations.

A total 5,889 suspects were arrested and charged to Court, out of whom, 1,006 were convicted while 4,353 were still awaiting trial in the period under review.

Why defilement still persists

- Some cultural norm still practised where girls who have developed breasts are considered ready for marriage

- Adolescent age where many young girls are taken advantage of.

- Some of the girls are defiled in the process of doing domestic chores, especially when they are sent alone.