Police in Butaleja District, eastern Uganda have arrested a teacher for eloping with a 16-year-old student and allegedly getting her pregnant.
John Omondi, 32, reportedly eloped with the Mabale Primary School pupil in January 2021, and has been living with her until she got pregnant.
The arrest was made after some parents reported the matter to Butaleja Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Stanley Bayole.
Confirming the incident, police spokesman for Bukedi South Region, Moses Mugwe on Sunday, May 30 said Omondi’s offence amounted to aggravated defilement.
He stated;
We have arrested a teacher in a government-aided primary school on allegations of defiling, marrying and impregnating a pupil (names withheld because she’s a minor). Both the suspect and the victim were found staying together.
Mugwe expressed that Omondi, who is currently detained at Butaleja central police station, will be charged with aggregated defilement when investigations are completed.
Police said the girl and the suspect will to be subjected to medical examination as part of their investigations.
The school’s headteacher was also arrested, after police received reports that he tried to resolve the matter, instead of forwarding it to law enforcers.
Mugwe discouraged teachers who he said are supposed to act as parents to their students and pupils against sexually exploiting them.
He stated;
Acts of defilement undermine the learner’s potential to attain vital goals in life. We therefore, encourage the general public to be on the lookout and report such human rights abuses to police for further action.
Meanwhile, Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Bayole said the suspect had advised the girl to abort her two-month pregnancy.
According to the Commissioner, at least 20 suspected offenders have been arrested in the last two months in the district on allegations of rape and defilement.
Bayole vowed;
Last month I arrested a teacher of private school in Busolwe town council over alleged defilement and is currently on remand in Butaleja government prison. Today, I have again arrested another teacher in a government aided school over the same. We shall make sure they face the law.
