Man, 25, arrested over aggravated defilement, murder of 2-year-old child

TORORO, UGANDA: The Police in Bukedi South have arrested a 25-year-old male adult in Tororo District on charges of kidnap, aggravated defilement and murder of a one-and-a-half-year-old, female juvenile

Okongo Gerald, a resident of Asinga “B” village, Malaba Town Council is accused of defiling and later killing the toddler identified as Promise Atte.

According to preliminary police investigations, the victim was last seen on Friday, June 30th playing with the child victim at Mama Musa’s bar, where her mother, Naziwa Grace, was drinking from.

Police say the body of the victim was found lying dead in the nearby garden the following day at around 7:30 am and the K9 dog was introduced to the scene which led to the arrest of the suspect.

“The victim was kidnapped from Asinga “B” village, defiled and murdered in a cassava garden. She sustained vicious physical injuries across the body and her private parts. A pamper with faeces was also recovered at the scene,” SCP Fred Enanga told journalists on Monday afternoon.

“She was an innocent toddler, who would have felt safe and secure in the presence of an older person,” he added.

According to Enanga, “The incident has left the community in Tororo and the public, shocked and devastated, by the loss of a lovely little girl, who lived a very short life, that was brought to a brutal end by a 25-year-old man, who should have been her protector instead. What is particularly horrifying is that the victim was still a toddler, dressed in Pampers for very young children.”

The police have condemned the vicious physical and sexual assault of the victim and assured that the matter will be followed to court to have the suspect charged and justice served.

“As Police, we strongly condemn the vicious physical and sexual assault of the victim. We are going to ensure our Sexual and Gender-Based Violence  Department, closely follows the matter, to court up to its logical conclusion,” Enanga remarked.