BUKOBA, Karagwe: POLICE in Karagwe District are investing an incident where a Form Three female student (name withheld) was in the process of being married off.
Kagera Regional Police Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Blasius Chatanda said that eight suspects were helping police investigation in connection with the incident.
“Full investigation into this matter in progress while police are looking for other suspects who are still at large. The suspects will be arraigned in court when investigations are completed,” he said.
The regional police chief strongly warned people to avoid engaging in acts that violate the laws of the land, as they could ultimately land them in jail if they are proved guilty.
Meanwhile, Missenyi District Magistrate’s Court has convicted Francisco Minani (60), a resident of Byeju Village, for raping his six- year old daughter(name withheld), sentencing him to 30 years imprisonment.
Prosecuting Police Inspector Zakayo Nalekwa told the court during hearing of the criminal case that the convict committed the offence on October 21st, 2022.
Evidence tendered in court revealed that Minani had been living with his three children after he divorced his wife.
Before issuing the verdict, Missenyi District Magistrate Yohana Miyombo noted that the prosecution side had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
He denounced the accused, describing him as a beast who did not deserve to live in a civilised society.
Magistrate Miyombo appealed to family members to take necessary steps to safeguard the welfare of children and ensure that they get proper upbringing from the grassroots level and should enroll them in school.
He said some children are neglected, forcing them to live in streets begging while others are not attending school, making them vulnerable to criminal acts including rape.
According to the magistrate, investigations revealed that major perpetrators include relatives and neighbours.
Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 6: states… parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse.
