LC1 Chairman arrested for defiling juvenile
Authorities are urging communities to report cases of child abuse and support efforts to eliminate early marriages and teenage pregnancies.
Buyende: Police in Buyende District have arrested a 23-year-old man and a Local Council (LC1) chairman for their alleged involvement in the defilement of a 17-year-old girl and compounding a felony.
The suspects have been identified as Mugeere Wycliff, a resident of Namalogwe, Nkoone Parish, Irundu Sub-county, and Mutaka Moses, the LC1 Chairman of Bukyaala Village, who is also the father of the victim.
According to ASP Michael Kasadha, the Busoga North Regional Police Spokesperson, investigations reveal that on March 2, 2025, Mutaka Moses hosted a traditional marriage ceremony between his underage daughter and Mugeere Wycliff at his home.
The two had been living together as husband and wife ever since.
The arrest followed a viral social media clip showing the traditional marriage ceremony, which sparked public outrage.
Further investigations are ongoing to identify other suspects who may have been involved.
In 2019, Buyende District passed an ordinance aimed at ending child marriage and teenage pregnancies, reinforcing strict penalties against defilers and negligent parents.
The Constitution of Uganda sets the legal marriage age at; 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys.
Anyone who contracts or facilitates a child marriage is liable for prosecution, facing either fines or imprisonment.
Additionally, under Section 8A(I) of the Children’s (Amendment) Act of Uganda, any form of sexual activity involving a child whether paid for or not is a criminal offense. Violators face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 100 currency points.
Furthermore, Section 42A(I) of the Act protects children from child marriage, child trafficking, female genital mutilation (FGM), child labor, defilement and physical and emotional abuse.
Authorities are urging communities to report cases of child abuse and support efforts to eliminate early marriages and teenage pregnancies.
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