In a disturbing incident in Luweero District, a school director, whose identity is being withheld due to ongoing police investigations, is in custody over allegations of defiling six candidates who were preparing to sit for their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
This incident unfolded alongside accusations that the director facilitated an abortion for one of the affected pupils. Notably, the accused director is a trained medical practitioner.
The alleged criminal offenses took place between September and October 2023, and medical examinations have already confirmed the sexual abuse, although further investigations are ongoing, according to Mr. Sam Twineamazima, the spokesperson for the Savana Region Police.
Parents and concerned residents raised alarm over these grave allegations on October 25, leading to the director’s arrest on October 29 after the Luweero District Probation Office received confidential information about the matter.
Ms. Joyce Namigadde, the district probation officer, expressed her concern, saying, “I registered complaints from parents of the victims about the sexual abuse cases by the school director and quickly contacted the police and other relevant authorities for action. It is unfortunate that the suspect is even a medical worker attached to one of the district health facilities.”
The investigations suggest that the director had a disturbing practice of luring students, particularly female pupils, to his home under the pretext of “special coaching.”
Regarding the alleged abortion, the health facility where it was purportedly conducted has not been independently verified.
However, one of the defilement victims claimed in her statement that the health facility was not far from their school.
The director’s arrest was prompted when one of the victims, during questioning by the police and probation team, displayed an intravenous cannula (IV) on her left hand.
Further inquiry revealed that she had been taken to a clinic by the director for treatment, where she confessed to having undergone an abortion with his assistance.
It’s important to note that the investigation into the alleged pregnancy will only proceed after the students complete their examinations, given that they are currently in the midst of their Primary Leaving Examinations.