By David Imaa.
Police in Butaleja District Busaba Town Council in Naswa cell arrested two suspects including a mother for selling off her 14-year old girl daughter in a marriage for a million shillings.
According to the Acting PRO Bukedi South Region IP Mugwe Moses, the second suspect is a one Guloba Ali (38 years) a resident of Mwanswa village, accused of aggravated defilement involving a minior identified as Jamila Sibanga (14 years) after negotiations with her parents to take her as a wife.
It is alleged that Guloba agreed to pay Jamila’s parents a sum of UGX1million as bride price for Jamila and paid 500,000 shillings in February as downpayment. Upon completion of the agreed dowry last week, he took the girl home as a wife and defiled her.
The mother has been identified as Nadera Mariyati. The arrests occured on 19/4/2022 at around 2200HRS after Guloba allegedly earlier on sent his father, the brother, his brother in-law and others to the victim’s parents who jointly procured Defilement (by marriage).
Upon receipt of the information, the D/CIDO Butaleja and team of investigators responded and rescued the victim and arrested the mother of the victim whereas the father fled and is still on the run.
IP Mugwe said efforts are under way to have all perpetrators arrested and allaigned in Courts of law for prosecution after investigations are complete and file sanctioned.
He condemned the acts of early marriages which are rife in Butaleja District and warned community members to take caution against such acts.
He also made an apeal to political, cultural and religious leaders and all stakeholders to always inform authorities about such acts and involve themselves in community sensitization against acts of early girl child marriages.