RDC Obongi Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka has ordered the arrest of all men defiling girls in the district.
Speaking at the World Teachers’ Day celebrations in Obongi, Hashaka said that defilement in the district has reached a crisis level, particularly in government-aided primary schools.
He noted that defilers, including some local leaders, are raping, defiling, and impregnating young girls as young as 12. As an example, he cited the 70-year-old LC1 chairperson of Lionga Central Ward, who defiled and impregnated a young girl from Obongi Primary School.
Hashaka criticized the lack of arrests due to collusion between defilers and families. He warned parents against accepting bribes or gifts in exchange for marrying off their young daughters. He also revealed that he found four pregnant girls, three in P5 and one in P7, at Liwa Primary School at the beginning of the term.
All four girls had been impregnated and married off, with one married by an LC1 chairperson. The P7 girl was still in school but had been married off after her father received a goat and a chicken.
The RDC directed the police to investigate and arrest all those involved in defilement and ensure they face legal consequences.
He also announced that his office would begin naming and shaming defilers and urged NGOs to intervene. Hashaka highlighted the challenges of investigating defilement cases due to the underreporting of defilers’ ages and the overreporting of girls’ ages.
