Bukoba man sentenced to 30 years for incest

KAGERA: A 40-year-old man from Kitale Village in Bukoba District has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted of incest, engaging in sexual relations with his biological daughter.

The convict, Harold Amon, was found guilty of violating Sections 158(1)(a) and 159 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), Revised Edition 2022, which criminalise incest by a male.

The case was prosecuted by State Attorney Elias Subi, assisted by Leocardia Kabagambile, who told the court that the offence occurred on July 16, 2023, in Kitale Village, Bukoba Rural District. The victim, whose name is withheld for legal and ethical reasons, was a Standard Seven pupil aged 15 at the time of the incident.

Delivering judgment in Criminal Case No. 24524/2024, Resident Magistrate Yona Eliakim stated that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, warranting a custodial sentence of 30 years.

The court also ordered that the victim be placed under the custody of her mother, from whom the convict had previously divorced.

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Meanwhile, officials have raised concern over increasing cases of violence against children in the region, attributing the trend to parental negligence, harmful beliefs and alcohol abuse within communities.

Regional Officer-in-Charge at the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Office in Kagera, Ms Ajuaye Bilishanga stressed the need for joint efforts from all stakeholders to protect the rights and welfare of children.

“Some parents have completely neglected their responsibilities and leave young children in the care of others, where they risk mistreatment or even sexual abuse,” she said.

Ms Bilishanga also pointed out that broken families are contributing to child neglect, often pushing children into street begging or exposing them to exploitation.

“We must all take action to protect our children and ensure they receive proper care, education and healthcare,” she emphasised.

According to Head of the Gender Desk at the Kagera Regional Police Station, Assistant Inspector of Police Suzan Kamwaga, from January to September 30, 2023, police recorded 533 cases of gender-based violence, of which 230 were rape-related.

“Tanzania has one of the youngest populations in the world, and we are seeing a disturbing rise in gender-based violence. It’s crucial that families and communities step up to protect children,” she said.

Inspector Kamwaga warned that many perpetrators are relatives or close neighbours, and that about 60 per cent of child abuse cases occur at home. She also noted the cultural tendency to settle such cases privately, which undermines justice.