Police in Busoga North, eastern Uganda, have arrested a local security guard who allegedly defiled an eight-year-old girl.

Kizito Imulani is accused of defiling the orphan as well as assaulting two others, aged 8 and 10, on diverse dates within May 2024 at Master Children Ministries and Orphanage, located in Kamuli Municipality.

The 40-year-old suspect was employed in 2023, to guard the premises and its occupants.

According to the three victims’ accounts, Imulani would inappropriately touch their body parts and also lure them sexually. 

The victims were medically examined and one of them had proof of sexual abuse. Despite their tender age, the three girls took courage and reported the matter to the matron, who alerted the school management and the police.

“The suspect had held himself as a trusted protector of the orphans since 2023, but betrayed that trust, by harming them sexually and physically,” the police rue.

The suspect, police say, will be charged with Aggravated Defilement, in addition to two other counts of indecent assault.

“The arrest should serve as a deterrent to other child predators, who would take advantage of vulnerable children. Adults are obligated to look after children and take care of them, but not prey on them sexually,” police spokesperson Fred Enanga says.

Defilement is an offence punishable by both imprisonment and death in Uganda.