The suspect, Paul Mwanje resident of Katende zone, Bugembe, Northern division, Jinja city has been allegedly defiling his own 14-year-old daughter from a yet to be identified lodge in Bugembe between the months of January and February 2024.
The father of three children, with the victim being the oldest, has been buying chips and chicken, chapati, sweets, and taking her daughter out on several occasions, especially to the lodge in question. Additionally, he has been favouring his daughter at the expense of the two other children (boys) according to preliminary report.
According to the local residents of Katende zone, Mwanje has been overprotective of the daughter and abusing any male person who tries to get close to the daughter. It is alleged that he could arrest any male who tried to engage in love affairs with his young girl.
The deceptive behavior of the man prompted neighbours to probe his behaviour and confidentially asked the girl until she disclosed everything the father had been doing to her. Neighbours informed police and immediately led to his arrest in the wee hours of February 11, 2024.
“All hostels, lodges, and happening places have been strongly warned against allowing minors in their premises to have prohibited sex. Police are locating the lodge in question in Bugembe, and the owner, manager, and workers will be arrested, and the lodge closed permanently because such misconduct is totally unacceptable in society,” said SP James Mubi, the Kiira region police publicist.
He added that “They are making money at the expense of the future of our children who are supposed to be protected from any danger or ill treatment.”
According to police, the victim has been medically examined, indicating ruptured hymen and habitual penetration.
It is reported that the mother of the victim went to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for foreign jobs in 2023 and left the three children in the hands of their father. The father reportedly defiled the daughter seven times from the lodge in Bugembe and two times at the paternal home in Katende zone, Bugembe.
Detained at Jinja CPS, the suspect is being charged with aggravated defilement, which Mubi stated that he is a parent with authority over his daughter, who is a monor.
