Missing schoolgirls found
What you need to know:
Mr Samuel Batuka, the District Community Development Officer, said cases of teenage pregnancies and underage marriages are on the rise in the area, with the worst affected Sub-counties being Nakalama, Bulamagi, Namungalwe, Nakigo, Nawaningi and Busembatia Town Council.
Jinja/Kamuli. The three school girls
Three girls missing in Busoga schools
The girls, aged between 12 and 16 years, have been confirmed missing in Jinja and Kamuli districts and their whereabouts remain unknown to-date
from their respective schools in Busoga Sub-region a month ago, have been found allegedly eloping with boda boda cyclists and porters.
They are pupils of Bupadhengo Day and Boarding Primary School, Kamuli; Nakanyonyi Girls’ School, Jinja; and Glory Land Christian College, Jinja.
The trio were discovered following an operation mounted by police and their parents.
The Busoga North police spokesperson, Mr Micheal Kasadha, when contacted on Monday, said police are treating the cases as elopement because the suspects orchestrated the girls’ disappearance or escape from their respective schools.
He added that since all the girls are below the age of consent (18 years), when the culprits are apprehended, they will be charged with defilement.
Sasha*, who escaped from school on October 7, was on November 7 found in a rental house in Bugembe Town Council, Jinja District belonging to a boda boda only identified as Denis.
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Three girls missing in Busoga schools
The girls, aged between 12 and 16 years, have been confirmed missing in Jinja and Kamuli districts and their whereabouts remain unknown to-date
Her mother, said she was tipped off by a woman in the neighbourhood
“I was informed by a Good Samaritan who saw a young girl in the custody of a boda boda cyclist and when I came, I found her in the house but the man had already disappeared,’’ the mother said.
She added that she is currently counselling her daughter so that she can resume her studies and fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor.
She, however, noted that she has opened up a case at police so that the suspect can be arrested for eloping with her daughter.
Priscilla*, who escaped from school on October 1 after allegedly forging a medical form, was discovered in Kampala in the custody of a site porter by the village chairperson.
Her mother, said: “The man who eloped with my daughter would lock her inside, go to work and open for her at night.’’
She however, said her daughter has resumed her studies at another school after being counselled.
Georgina’s* mother, confirmed finding her daughter living in the suspect’s house.
How they disappeared
The deputy head teacher of Bupadhengo Primary School, Mr Anthony Kibumba, said Sasha escaped from school on October 07.
“I learnt of her escape at about 4pm from fellow pupils though one of her friends from a neighbouring school informed us that she saw her heading to a village party. I immediately reported to police and a case file number of the disappearance of a child SD5/7/10/2018 was recorded,’’ he said.
Her mother said she received the news of her daughter’s disappearance from one of the school’s teachers who was inquiring whether she was home. School says
The director of Nakanyonyi Girls’ School, Mr John Richard Isabirye, said their student, Priscilla, went missing after being sent home on October 1 for medical treatment on the advice of the school nurse.
“She signed in the school book after being given a sick leave chit. She then went home but I don’t remember informing the parents because they were aware that their child had to see a family doctor that day,’’ Mr Isabirye said.
However, the family learnt of her disappearance from her cousin, a student of the same school who had been sent home for school fees.
Georgina’s mother said her daughter disappeared from their residence on the night of October 1. “She carried a bucket of water to bathe but never returned from the bathroom,” she said.
*Names have been changed in order to protect identity of the girls.
