A Catholic priest in the eastern Ugandan district of Busia has been arrested for allegedly defiling a 17-year-old girl who recently completed primary school. The priest, who was stationed at Dabani Parish, was apprehended at the parish headquarters and briefly detained before being transferred to Busia Central Police Station.
Medical tests confirmed that the girl had been defiled, while tests on the priest indicated sexual contact. Police are awaiting the results of his HIV test, while the pregnancy test on the girl was negative.
Sources at Busia Central Police Station described the priest as being “alcoholic and shivering” upon his arrival. Busia District CIID Officer, Mr. Tibbs Asiimwe, confirmed the arrest but stated that the priest was released on medical grounds after his health deteriorated in custody.
“He was difficult to keep in the cells. We feared he would cause problems, so we granted him bond to seek treatment and return this week for court proceedings,” Mr. Asiimwe explained.
The Catholic Church doctrine strictly enforces celibacy for its priests, making this alleged act a serious violation.
According to the victim’s family, the priest returned their daughter home on a motorcycle after she had been missing for four days. She had recently completed her Primary Leaving Examinations.
The family reported that the priest was intoxicated upon returning with the girl and became belligerent when questioned about her whereabouts.
“Our daughter was missing for four days, and when she returned with the priest, we were suspicious,” a family member stated.
This suspicion, coupled with a hunch that the priest had kept the girl at the parish, led the family to file a formal complaint at Dabani Police Station, triggering the priest’s arrest.
