A school cleaner in Nakasongola district, has been arrested on charges of aggravated defilement following allegations from eight pupils at Ekitingala Primary School. The suspect, identified as Sam Mayanja, is accused of sexually abusing the students between 2023 and July 2024.
According to Sam Twiineamazima, the spokesperson for the Savannah Police region, the alleged abuses occurred while Mayanja, who worked as a cleaner at the school, was residing with the victims at his home on the school premises. The accusations came to light during a meeting held at the school on July 24, 2024. During this meeting, the pupils reported the abuse to the school administration.
The school administration promptly reported the allegations to Kakooge Police Station. The police responded swiftly, opening a case of aggravated defilement. Crime scene officers visited and documented the location of the alleged incidents. Statements were collected from witnesses and victims, and Mayanja was subsequently arrested. He is now detained at Central Police Station in Nakasongola district while further investigations are ongoing.
The 2023 Annual Police Crime Report revealed that there were 12,771 reported cases of defilement in the previous year, which is a 1.5% increase from 2022. Among the victims, 300 were reported to have been infected with HIV.
Refugee Dies After Gunman Attack in Palorinya Camp
In other local crime news, a South Sudanese refugee has died following an attack by an unknown gunman at Palorinya Refugee Settlement in Obongi district. The incident occurred on the evening of August 4, 2024, in Kaguru village, zone 1 of the settlement.
According to Obongi Resident District Commissioner Samuel Hashaka Mpimbaza, the attack happened around 8:20 p.m. The assailant arrived on a motorcycle with a South Sudanese number plate and opened fire on the refugees. The attack resulted in the death of 55-year-old Wani Afred and the injury of Samuel Kweji, 35, who was shot in the leg.
Hashaka indicated that the motive behind the attack remains unclear. However, preliminary intelligence suggests that the gunmen might be South Sudanese nationals who could be involved in internal disputes from their home country.
This incident marks the third time in three months that a refugee has been killed in Palorinya. North West Nile Police region spokesperson Ignatius Dragudu confirmed that a case file has been opened under reference Obongi district CRB153/2024. The deceased’s body has been taken to Moyo General Hospital for a postmortem, while the injured refugee is receiving treatment and is now out of danger.
Dragudu added that intelligence reports suggest the attackers are South Sudanese who may have crossed into Uganda via porous borders. He urged the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly.
