Julius Moses Chelimo, the detained chair of Bukwo District LC5, was arraigned on counts of aggravated human trafficking, promoting the same, and aggravated defiling on Tuesday before the International Crimes Division of the High Court.
However, because the presiding judge, Dr. Andrew Bashaija, was off sick, the case was postponed until August 22nd, 2023.
He was transported to court under strict security, with three patrol vans parked outside and scores of counterterrorism police officers stationed inside the courthouse.
Since his arrest in November 2022 on charges of trafficking and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl who was a student at one of the schools in the Sebei district, Chelimo has been imprisoned.
The incident allegedly occurred in a number of places throughout the districts of Mbale, Bukwo, Kapchorwa, and Budaka.
The girl, who at the time of the event shared a residence with her older sister, attended Chepkwesta Primary School in the Bukwo District, according to court documents.
Chelimo is accused of luring the youngster with the help of his co-accused and the victim’s uncle, Joshua Kwemoi, after developing an interest in establishing a sexual relationship with her.
Kwemoi eventually convinced the victim to meet Chelimo by offering her financial rewards after multiple failed efforts.
According to the prosecution, the victim met the politician after being brought to the residence of another co-defendant, Felix Chelimo.
According to court documents, Chelimo repeatedly had sex with the woman after Kwemoi left while making up promises of marriage and a better life in Kampala.
The prosecution highlights how Chelimo is a public official, a person of authority, and a major player in the Sebei and Bukwo districts, making this a high-profile case.
The prosecution intends to present evidence during the hearing including beddings, mattresses, photos, reports from medical examinations, birth certificates, transcripts from school, phone data records, mobile money transactions, and records of communications between the victim and the accused.
Despite Raphael Magyezi, the local government minister, trying to appoint Merisa Cheptegei as the new LC5 Chairperson in November 2022, the Electoral Commission has confirmed that Chelimo is still the rightful Chairperson LC 5 of the Bukwo District. On October 24, 2022, Chelimo had earlier resigned, claiming personal reasons.