Ex-Bukwo LC5 boss to stand trial for defilement, child trafficking

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The International Crimes Division of the High Court has indicted the former Bukwo district LC5 chairperson, Julius Chelimo, over charges of aggravated defilement and child trafficking.

On Monday, May 6, 2024, Justice Alice Khaukha Komuhangi ruled that prosecution had adduced sufficient evidence implicating the accused of the crime.

“Having considered all the evidence disclosed by the prosecution, I find that it is sufficient to establish substantial grounds to believe that Chelimo committed each of the offences he is charged with. The charges are accordingly confirmed against him and he is hereby referred for trial,” she ruled.

The accused will face trial before a panel of three justices who are yet to be appointed by the court registrar.

Komuhangi found that the evidence disclosed by prosecution is sufficient to prove to the required standard that Chelimo, being in a position of authority over the victim performed a sexual act with the 14-year-old girl.

The judge said as a leader of the district, Chelimo had the responsibility of protecting the victim.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that on October 21, 2022, at Cairo village, Chepkwasta sub-county in Bukwo district, Chelimo recruited or received a 16-year-old girl (name withheld) by means of abuse of power or position of vulnerability for the purpose of sexual exploitation. He is also accused of defiling the said girl.

Meanwhile, Kiplimo is accused of allowing his house, building or establishment to be used for purposes of sexual exploitation.

Court documents indicate that the victim was living with her elder sister (name withheld) at Sere village, Cheptesta sub-county in Bukwo district.

“Chelimo developed interest in having a sexual relationship with the victim. He approached the victim through several people, but she declined. Chelimo then decided to use Kwemoi, the victim’s uncle, to lure the victim into having a sexual relationship with him,” a court indictment reads in parts.

According to prosecution, on October 21, 2022, after two failed attempts, Kwemoi succeeded in persuading the victim to accompany him to meet Chelimo, who preyed on the victim’s vulnerability and persuaded her on the premises that he was going to give her money.

Subsequently, Kwemoi took the girl to Kiplim’s home, where they found the Bukwo chairperson waiting. Kwemoi ushered the victim to the guest bedroom and Chelimo forced her into having sexual intercourse with him several times.

Chelimo, according to prosecution, later employed tactics of promising to marry the girl and settle her in Kampala, in vain.

About Chelimo

At the time of arrest, Chelimo had resigned from his post as LC5 chairperson in a letter dated October 24, 2022, addressed to the district speaker, Melisa Cheptege.

He was a rebel leader of the now defunct Uganda Saving Force (USF), which operated from 2013 to 2016 but was granted amnesty by President Yoweri Museveni in April 2016.

Thereafter, Chelimo joined politics and won in the 2021 general election to become the Bukwo district chairperson.