MASAKA, Uganda — Police in Nyendo, Masaka City, have arrested a 20-year-old man after he was allegedly found with a school-going girl at a guest house, with investigations underway to establish how the minor ended up at the premises.
The suspect was arrested alongside the girl at Gofrex Guest House following a tip-off from a resident who alerted police that a man had taken a schoolgirl to a lodge.
Officers from Nyendo Police Station responded to the report and were reportedly informed by guest house staff that the two were inside one of the rooms.
Police said officers ordered the occupants to open the room, but the suspect allegedly claimed that the girl was his sister. Officers nevertheless intervened and arrested him.
According to police, the girl gave conflicting accounts about her age. She initially said she was 17 before later claiming to be 18. When asked about her year of birth, however, she reportedly indicated that she was 15.
Both were taken to Nyendo Police Station, where they remained in custody as investigators worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Masaka Regional Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye said the investigation began after a community member alerted police about a man who had entered the lodge with a school-going child.
“A resident alerted us that there was a man who had taken a school-going child into the lodge. Our officers responded immediately and found the two locked inside one of the rooms of Gofrex guest house,” Kasirye said.
Kasirye said preliminary information indicated that the suspect and the girl were residents of Sembabule District, while the girl had reportedly left a school in Mbarara District.
He warned against sexual exploitation of children and said police would treat such cases seriously.
“We want to warn all men against engaging children in acts of sexual abuse. As police, we shall not take such matters lightly,” Kasirye said.
Police have not indicated whether the suspect has been formally charged, and investigations into the case are continuing.
A boda boda rider who reportedly transported the pair to the guest house said their movements raised his suspicions.
Joseph Kaweesi Muhumuza said the two initially asked for directions before eventually requesting to be taken to a lodge.
He said they repeatedly changed their stated destination during the journey.
“At first they told me that they are going to the market. After reaching the market they said it is not where they were going, then asked me to turn back and that is when they told me to stop at that guest house and they enter inside,” he said.
His account is expected to form part of the information investigators consider as they establish the circumstances that led to the girl’s presence at the guest house.
The incident has renewed concerns among residents over the safety of school-going children and the risk of young girls being taken to lodges for purposes that could expose them to abuse or exploitation.
Residents called for closer monitoring of guest houses and urged operators to exercise greater vigilance when children are brought onto their premises.
They also called for lodge owners or operators to be held accountable if investigations establish that they knowingly facilitated unlawful activities involving children.
Residents Jane and Stephen Lubega separately called for stronger community vigilance and enforcement of laws protecting children.
Masaka City Resident Commissioner Ahmed Washaki urged police to conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action against anyone found to have violated laws protecting children.
“Police should not play around with this case. It is the state that is complaining. I don’t want to hear that there is no complainant. Such matters require serious attention because they concern the safety and future of a child,” Washaki said.
Also Read: Ritual murder probe deepens as Mbale suspect confesses to killing 49 girls
He also urged parents to maintain close contact with school-going children and establish where they are and who they associate with.
“Parents should always follow up on their children while they are at school and establish where they are because this one was taken to a school in Mbarara, now she is in Masaka in a lodge with a man,” he said.
Washaki said closer parental supervision could help protect children from sexual abuse and other forms of exploitation.
The suspect and the girl remained at Nyendo Police Station as investigations continued.
The circumstances surrounding the girl’s presence at the guest house, including how she travelled to Masaka and whether any offence was committed, remain subject to police investigations and due process.
