Catholic Church youth leader convicted of aggravated defilement

 

A 22 year old youth was on Thursday 10th August 2023 convicted of aggravated defilement by the Kabale High court sitting in Kisoro against Section 129 (3) and (4) (a) and (c) of the Penal Code Act. 

The convict has been identified as Kwitonda Ronald a resident of Gacaca village Buhumbu parish in Busanza Sub County. By the time of his arrest, he was a student at Kabaya tailoring institute and a youth leader at Kinanira Catholic Church.

It is alleged that in the wee hours of 1st January 2020 while at Busenyagabo village, Busengo parish in Nyarubuye sub county, Kwitonda Ronald forcefully had sexual intercourse with a 16 year old girl and injured her head in the wrestling process.

The Victim was also a youth member at Kinanira Catholic Church and was returning home from night prayers that ushered in a new year.

Kwitonda denied the allegations against him, saying that by the time of this act he was at home sleeping with his brother.

The Kabale High court Circuit Resident Judge, Hon. Justice Emokor Samuel, said that the evidence tendered before court by the prosecution and the information given by the prosecution witnesses clearly proves beyond reasonable doubt that Kwitonda defiled the victim.

Hon, Justice Emokor also noted that medical evidence before him showed that the convict was HIV positive and defiled a minor while knowing that he was infected, exposing the risk of infection to her.

The state Prosecutor, Ainomugisha Christopher prayed that the Judge give a deterrence sentence because he forcefully defiled a minor and caused trauma to her life because of the HIV infection risk.

The defence Lawyer asked for leniency because the convict is still young, he is a student and a youth leader in his church.

While asked for his prayer by the Judge, the Father of the Victim, Bizimana Didas prayed for justice because her daughter was a P.6 pupil whom he had a lot of hope that she can become a better person in the future but she has dropped out of school due to trauma.

The Resident Judge said that he will give his ruling tomorrow the 11th of August 2023.

Aggravated defilement carries a maximum penalty of death in the constitution of Uganda.

Meanwhile, a Boda Boda Rider in his 40s, Gasigazi Geoffrey was also yesterday sentenced by the same court to 18 years imprisonment for aggravated defilement on a 15 year old girl in 2019. Both are residents of Murora Sub County and Gasigazi had offered a lift to the victim but later intentionally rode her to his bedroom for the whole night.