Busia County Chief Magistrate Edna Nyaloti has issued a stern warning to local residents against negotiating or settling defilement cases outside the legal process. Speaking at the official launch of the National Children Service Month at Busia Polytechnic grounds, Magistrate Nyaloti emphasized that all defilement cases must be reported to the police and the suspects should be prosecuted in court.
"Once suspects are taken to court and found guilty, we will follow the Sexual Offences Act, which prescribes very punitive sentences," she stated, stressing the importance of upholding the law and ensuring justice for victims.
Nyaloti highlighted the worrying rise in defilement cases within Busia County, with the youngest reported victim being just nine months old. She expressed concern over the intimidation of victims and their families, who sometimes try to suppress the truth, especially during court proceedings. "At times, parents threaten and intimidate the victims, telling them not to tell the truth in court, even when medical reports confirm the child was defiled," she said.
The Chief Magistrate also pointed out that many perpetrators are close relatives of the victims, adding that adolescent girls are also involved in defilement cases, particularly when they force younger boys into intimacy. She called for the prosecution of such individuals, regardless of their gender, as part of the broader fight against sexual abuse.
Another issue raised by Nyaloti was the interference with witnesses, with some being bribed or threatened to avoid testifying in court. She noted that being a border county, some witnesses often flee to neighboring Uganda, further complicating the legal process. "Witnesses who flee to Uganda make it difficult for the court to conclude defilement cases," she said, urging residents to cooperate with the judicial officers to ensure the proper administration of justice.
Magistrate Nyaloti also advised parents to be vigilant, particularly during the festive season, and avoid sending children out for errands late at night or encouraging harmful practices such as "disco matanga" (funeral parties with loud music). She encouraged parents to engage their children in positive, safe activities to protect them from defilement and early pregnancies.
Busia Sub-County Children’s Officer Patrick Mukolwe added that the county handles about 10 cases of defilement and physical abuse every week. He also noted that victims often face community pressure to withhold the truth during court proceedings, and delays in reporting cases can result in the loss or tampering of crucial evidence.
Mukolwe further highlighted the vulnerability of most victims, who come from disadvantaged families and may lack the financial means to pursue justice. "We are looking forward to establishing a joint cross-border committee to ensure that suspects and witnesses who flee to Uganda are brought back for prosecution," he said.
The collaborative efforts between the judiciary, local authorities, and the community aim to curb the rise of defilement cases and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable, while also providing support and protection for the victims.
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