Police officers “killing’ defilement cases for money

By Correspondent 

There is unprecedented silence about defilement cases in the country. This, The Drone Media can exclusively reveal, is not because kids are not defiled. It is due to graft; police officers handling defilement cases at police counters; are killing the cases. These defilement cases are not allowed to escalate to further stages; loads of cash is always paid at an early stage of the case.

“Teenage pregnancy during COVID-19 lockdowns may keep 1 million girls out of school in Africa,” a report from one of the NGOs in Uganda stated.

Now, the question is, ” where are such cases in police? The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked unprecedented havoc on children, families and communities around the globe, Uganda inclusive; disrupting vital services and putting millions of lives at risk. Since March, reports about pregnant young girls have made rounds, but justice has not prevailed.  We have not heard from Uganda police about such cases of defilement.

The Drone Media asked Fred Enanga, Police Spokesman, about this predicament, but he could not answer. Hope he will come up with a satisfying answer to the public.

It is believed one out of 51 girls in her community got pregnant during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Although they haven’t caught the virus, the effects of the pandemic on their lives will be lasting.

`It should also be noted that Covid-19 has also escalated this crisis in Uganda. In some communities, girls have tried to remove their unborn babies themselves to terminate their pregnancies. They are also at increased risk of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect.

The pandemic has also resulted in limited access to health services for girls and prescription medication has been very limited. And, the effects on girls’ mental health is equally as troubling. Without their support systems, many girls have no outlet for the stress they are feeling during this devastating time. These numbers are heartbreaking.