MOROTO – At least four police officers attached to Moroto Central Police Station – CPS have been arrested following the escape of aggravated defilement suspect from custody.
The suspect – identified as Alfred Mukusu, a resident of Natumukasikou ward in North Division Moroto municipality was arrested on May 18, 2023 for allegedly defiling a 10-year – old girl of the same village.
It is alleged that on May 20 at around 8:00am – the four police officers who were on duty under the command of ASP Elly Mafundo Nuwagabi brought the suspect out of the cell to clean the compound – escaping in the process.
Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson confirmed the arrest of the four cops who would assist in the investigations connected to the escape of the suspect.
According to Longole, all the officers are attached to CPS – Moroto will face charges of negligence on duty – leading to the escape of the suspects from lawful custody.
He revealed that ASP Mafundo – the Unit commander had already been charged with negligence of duty and aiding the escape of the suspect.
Longole said that the Police regional management has taken the action on ASP Mafundo to deter other officers from committing similar offence as efforts to re-arrest the suspect was under way.
”We have already deployed a team of officers to pursue the suspect who escaped and we urge the general public to cooperate by providing any information that would lead to his re-arrest” said Longole.
Statistics from the health, education, probation and social welfare departments in the Karamoja sub region indicate that from July 2022 to April 2023, 6,440 girls aged between 10 and 17 years were reportedly sexually violated.
