Police in Uganda’s Yumbe District have detained a 31-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting his one-year-nine-month-old niece.
The suspect, identified as Hamid, was taken into custody after the child’s guardian returned to their home in Leinga Central Cell, Barakala Town, on Sunday afternoon and found the toddler bleeding, according to local officials.
Neighbour Kalisumu Cheka told residents she had left the child under Hamid’s supervision while she went to collect water. She said she raised an alarm after discovering the injuries, prompting community members and local leaders to intervene.
The LC1 chairperson reported the incident to police, saying the suspect attempted to flee before his arrest.
North West Nile region police spokesperson Collins Asea confirmed the detention and said the case has been registered at Barakala Police Station as aggravated defilement, under SD 08/16/11/2025. A medical examination later showed the child had suffered multiple injuries.
Recent police data shows a rise in similar offences. The 2024 Annual Crime Report recorded 4,072 cases of aggravated defilement nationwide, up from 3,846 the previous year — a 5.7% increase.
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