By VOM Newsroom
The bigger they are, the harder the fall.
Jailed Kisoro district NRM Vice Chairperson Ramadhan Ndikuyeze remains detained at Ndorwa Government Prison in Kabale district after his appearance before the Kabale Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday did not yield any fruit.
Prominent Businessman and elected LC III chairperson for Central Division, Kisoro Municipality stands accused of aggravated trafficking of persons.
The 50-year-old was yesterday declined bail by his Worship Derrick Byaruhanga for the second time.
Prosecution led by Edwin Amanya, told the Court that, Ndikuyeze being a public officer between the months of September 2021 and November 2021 recruited or harbored 17-year-old Sarah Mbabazi, by means of abuse of power or position of vulnerability for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Amanya further told the court that they are finalizing inquiries into the case and are still unable to start hearings because the key witness is still undergoing Witness protection and Psycho-social support in the capital, Kampala.
Background of the Case
Excerpts from the Uganda Police Website dated July 18th, 2022.
The Directorate of CID is actively investigating an alleged case of Aggravated Defilement and procurement of Abortion, against a 17-year-old female S.3 student, in one of the schools in Kisoro district, by Ndikuyezi Ramathan, a prominent Estate and fuel dealer in Kisoro district.
The facts gathered indicate that during the COVID lockdown, the victim approached the suspect for a job at his petrol station.
The suspect instead promised her a job in his estate business. It is during one of the inspections of his estate business, that they got involved and started a love affair till April 2022, when the victim realized she was pregnant and tried to abort secretly, with the help of a medical person in Kisoro.
Due to much fear for her parents, the victim left for Kampala and got a job as a maid at Musawo’s in Bukasa. She however, developed complications and was rushed to Quatum Medical Facility, where it was established that the fetus was still stuck in her womb. The victim was transferred to Nsambya Hospital for better treatment.
The matter has since gained attention in Kisoro and Kigezi region.
Although the victim claims she is 19, her parents claim she is 17 years. We are treating the matter as a priority and will ensure the rights of the victim are protected.
What she has endured is painful and our team of counsellors are handling her with sensitivity and respect. We want to thank the parents for the courage they took to report the matter to police, the fact that the suspect is a prominent businessman who wields power and influence in Kisoro. It will lead other victimized parents to stand-up to abusers, who victimize their children.
Therefore, let the publics in Kigezi Region, not rush to judgment, until the DPP gives her legal opinion. Obviously if the charges are suctioned, expect us to charge the suspect to court immediately for human trafficking, Aggravated Defilement and procuring an abortion.
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