Police in Kiruhura are holding in custody five family members for trying to forcefully marry off their 17-year-old senior four vacist child.
The suspects have been identified as; Napolen Kanzira, the alleged defiler, John Kwetesa (his father), Sam Arinaitwe (his uncle), John Katera, and his wife Janet Karuza (where both the girl and suspect were hiding), for various offences including child kidnapping, trafficking in persons, and aggravated defilement.
According to the police, the parents of the schoolgirl reported her alleged disappearance on February 10, which was later discovered to be an abduction, at Nkungu Police Station in Kazo, Kiruhura District.
“Upon investigations, it was established that the victim was abducted by Kanzira Napoleon for marriage in conspiracy with his father, identified as Kwetesa John,” said the police.
The girl was forced into a motor vehicle that was being driven by a one, Arinaitwe, the uncle to the suspect who transported them up to the home of Katera, where both the victim and the defiler were hidden.
“That very night, the girl was sexually assaulted, by the suspect, who, upon arrest, admitted that he was aware that he was dealing with an underage girl,” said the police.
The victim was recovered and is being managed by a team of experts from the Gender Unit at CID Headquarters.
