Uganda Police has revealed that they are hunting for Bukwo District Chairman, Chelimo Julius on allegations of Aggravated Defilement and Aggravated Trafficking of a 16-year-old, female juvenile.
The information was sent out to the public in a statement issued by SCP Enanga Fred, the Police Spokesperson.
“The Directorate of CID is actively investigating an alleged case of Aggravated Defilement and Aggravated Trafficking of a 16-year-old, female juvenile and Secondary School Student, in one of the schools in Sebei region,” reads the statement by Enanga.
The statement further reads that; “The facts gathered indicate that the victim left her parents’ home in Bukwo on the 28.11.2021, and came for holidays in Kampala.
“While in Kampala, she went and visited a friend called Amidu Anthony, where she was lured into a friendship, by the suspect Chelimo Julius, the LC5 Chairman Bukwo district.
“It was on the 6.05.2022, that the victim was picked by a one Amisi Latif, at Usafi market and linked up with the suspect who was meeting for the victim at Shell Petrol Station in Kireka.
“He further transported them to Mbale, where the two (suspects and victim) slept at Starlight Hotel.
“The victim however, managed to sneak out of the Hotel on the 7.05.2022, and travelled back to her parents home in Bukwo. Again, on the 18.05.2022, her disappearance was caused from their home, and traced to the home of Chesang Doreen, a relative to the suspect and reunited with her family. The victim was once again trafficked from their home, between May 2022 and 24.08.2022, and harbored at the home of the Chemutai Caroline in Budaka district, a cousin sister to the suspect. The suspect would occasionally pick her up, take her to a lodge and drop her home later.
“The matter has attracted public interest we are treating the matter as a priority and will ensure the rights of the victim are protected.
“The victim is currently under the protection and care, of the Sexual and Gender Based Violence Unit of CID Headquarters.
“We want to applaud the officers for their efforts and courage while tackling sexual assaults by high profile suspects. In the case under investigations, they have obtained very relevant statements from credible witnesses, and obtained samples from the victim for further DNA analysis.
“A serious manhunt for the Chairman LC, who wields a lot of power and influence in Bukwo district and Sebei region is ongoing.
“We are therefore, appealing to the public, relatives and friends, who can lead to the whereabouts or arrest of Chelimo Julius, on the alleged Aggravated Defilement of a 16-year-old, student and subsequent acts of Aggravated Trafficking should immediately alert the police.
“Any person who is arrested, charged and convicted on the above charges C/S 129(3) of the Penal Code Act and Sec 5 (A) of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2009, is liable to suffer death.
“The UPF maintains its zero tolerance for all acts sexual violence against vulnerable persons.”