Rape suspect: Police were aware of my work
Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba (centre) leads a team of detectives as they register the girls who were allegedly sexually abused. PHOTO BY HENRY LUBULWA
KALANGALA-A 66-year-old man arrested for allegedly abusing girls in Kalangala District has claimed that the police and district leaders helped him get in touch with the affected girls.
The suspect, who claimed to be a Belgian but carries Germany travel documents, said Kalangala District authorities and the police were aware of activities.
“I have been operating here legally and the police in Kalangala have been helping me to identify the girls, who were sexually abused, and I took them in the centre for rehabilitation,” the suspect told the Daily Monitor yesterday.
On Sunday, Special Investigations Unit operatives arrested the man and rescued at least 19 girls whom he has allegedly been sexually abusing in Kalangala District. Police recovered virginal Vaseline, artificial female and male genital organs, which the suspect allegedly used on the girls during sexual intercourse.
The girls have since been transferred to Kampala for further medical examination and treatment while the suspect is detained at SIU headquarters at Kireka, Wakiso District on allegations of defilement and rape.
The suspect denied abusing the girls and said he has been counselling female sex victims and providing them with education.
The non-governmental organisation, Ssese Islands Sexual Health and Psycho-social care centre, which is run by the suspect was legally certified by the district chairperson, Mr Willy Lugoloobi, who was then a probation officer in 2008.
Mr Lugoloobi confirmed to have issued a certificate to the suspect but denied knowledge of the acts that took place in the school.
“I am the one who issued a certificate of registration of the organisation while still a probation officer two years ago, but I did not know that he was operating these illegal lessons,” Mr Lugoloobi said yesterday.
Collusion probe
Ms Judith Nabakooba, the police spokesperson, said they are expanding their investigations into allegations of an intricate web of collusion involving top district officials.
“There could also be child trafficking and a number of other offences but this will be determined by the investigations,” she said.
She added that the girls are to undergo further examination and treatment probably at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Sexual violence among foreign nationals is on the increase with the most recent cases reported Kampala and Jinja.
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