Security guard to stand trial over raping woman at shop in Kampala

A 23-year-old security guard accused of raping a casual worker at a shop in Yunia Plaza, Arua Park in the central division of Kampala city has been committed to High Court for trial.

The state evidence presented before Buganda Road Court presided over by the Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi, indicate that Richard Mwesigye raped the victim for four hours as he watched pornographic videos on his smartphone at the same shop where the two worked.

Mwesigye who was at the time attached to a private security firm had been deployed to guard the shop on the fateful day.
It is alleged that at around 1am on August 28, 2023, Mwesigye ordered the victim (name withheld) who was doing her work outside the shop to enter the store and pick more carpets for cleaning.
Court heard that as soon as she entered the store room, Mwesigye rushed in and closed the door behind him.

“…that when the victim asked why he had closed the door, the accused responded saying he was in love with her. That the complainant was in shock and thought it was a joke. Shortly, the accused changed his tone and picked a piece of wood threatening to harm the complainant if she tried to resist. The complainant threatened to make an alarm but the accused warned her not to do so. He then grabbed and put her down on plywood which he had prepared to have sex from,” reads in part the summary of the evidence that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) intends to use in the High Court.

 According to the DPP, ”…the accused then removed his trousers and as well as the complainant’s knickers and forcefully had unprotected violent sexual intercourse with her which lasted for about four hours.”

 The victim told police that during the sexual intercourse, Mwesigye played pornographic videos on his smartphone. 
It’s further alleged that after the act, the victim went home and never reported immediately because she feared for her life.
She later shared her ordeal with her boss and how bad she felt.  When her boss reportedly advised her to report to the police which she did.

The victim was medically examined before she was issued with a Police Form 3A indicating that she had multiple healed tears around her genitals and a healing bruise on the right buttocks whose probable cause was forceful penetration by a blunt object.
Mwesigye was also subjected to a medical examination and a Police Form 24A was issued after he was found to be an adult of sound mind. He was also found with a healed scar on the left hand and his HIV tests came out negative.
 The DPP intends to rely on the medical forms during prosecution of Mwesigye in the High Court.

According to the summary of the evidence signed by senior state attorney, Mr Ivan Kyazze on behalf of the DPP, Mwesigye has no valid defense and should be convicted as charged.
 The magistrate relied on such evidence to commit Mwesigye to High Court for trial at the next convenient session.
 “You are hereby committed to the High Court for trial at the next High Court’s convenient session,” he ruled.

Prosecution alleges that on August 28, 2023 at Yunia Plaza, Arua Park in Kampala, Mwesigye had unlawful carnal knowledge with the complainant without her consent.
The DPP said his actions amount to rape as provided in Section 110 and 111 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.
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