Police in Kabale District in western Uganda are investigating a murder case following the death of a 13-year-old girl who was allegedly gang-raped on Christmas Day.
The media reports that the victim by the name Glorious Akampurira Owembabazi died at Kabale regional referral hospital moments after she was admitted following an 8 pm attack at Nyakasharara trading centre, Kyarugondo village, Kasheregyenyi parish, Kamuganguzi Sub County, according to police.
The police commissioner based in Kamuganguzi affirm the report saying the incident happened on a dark path from Kiwanja area during the nighttime after suspects dragged and forced the victim into the bush and forced themselves on her to death.
Women’s rights activists protested outside the police station against the high rates of gender violence in Kampala, as dozens of men detained in sweeping arrests in the aftermath of the incident were set to appear in court.
According to their reports seen by the media, no one has yet been charged with rape and police investigations into the incident are continuing.
They added that the victim was abused and robbed while shooting a video in the mining area near the police post when going back home after attending a Christmas day celebration.
The victim told the police that the suspects who were wearing balaclavas and police uniforms approached her and starts firing guns in the air, before turning on her multiple times.
She continued to say that she was in the company of her boyfriend and was walking home when they were confronted by three men.
The two had bought food at a local shopping centre and were walking home when they were confronted by the men, who claimed they were police officers.
The victims said the men ordered them not to try to run away.
They ordered the two to lie down in open ground when the three started to gang rape the woman as the boyfriend watched helplessly since the men were armed with knives. Men have so far been arrested.
Kamuganguzi Sub County LCIII chairperson, Mr Elias Twesigomwe reported to Kabale District Police Commander (DPC), SP Abel Ruganza that Owembabazi was found unconscious after she was gang abused by unknown people.
“The territorial police of Kabale have this morning (December 26, 2022) arrested four suspects who allegedly ganging-raped13-year-old Glorious Akampurira Owembabazi, a resident of Kyarugondo village, Kasyeregyenyi parish, Kamuganhuzi Sub County in Kabale District and died moments later,” ASP Elly Maate, the Kigezi region police spokesperson said on Monday morning.
He identified the suspects in police custody as Davis Akankwasa Kehoda, Allan Akanyijuka, Moses Sendarera and Norman Ahumuza Kanuma, all residents of Kasheregyenyi parish Kamuganguzi Sub County.