Defilement Convict, 75, Begs Court: ‘Let Me Go and Die at Home’
A 75-year-old man, who has been held at Luzira Prison for three years due to aggravated defilement charges, appealed to a Ugandan court to be released after the victim’s family forgave him.
Godfrey Ssozi, from Bulenga ‘B’ Village in Wakiso District, appeared in court on Wednesday with 25-year-old Sam Nyeba, who faced separate defilement charges. Nyeba’s victim was 17 years old at the time of the incident.
A frail-looking Ssozi was carried to court by Nyeba, as both had been in custody since 2021.
Both men admitted to their charges and requested a pardon.
Ssozi, an HIV patient detained since January 2021 for allegedly defiling a 17-year-old neighbor, apologized and sought forgiveness. He expressed his desire to be released to spend his remaining days with his family.
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The court was informed that in 2021, Ssozi confessed to the crime when arrested and taken to his village’s LCI chairman.
Justice Mutonyi was moved by Ssozi’s plea.
“The court releases the convict (Ssozi) due to his poor health, as he is admitted at Luzira Murchison Bay Hospital and cannot walk without assistance. Both the convict (Ssozi) and the victim’s mother reconciled after he apologized and was forgiven,” stated Justice Mutonyi.
The court heard that the victim had been sent to Ssozi’s home to collect banana peelings when she was defiled.
“Ssozi invited her into his house and to his bed. He instructed her to lie on top of him and proceeded to touch her body, including her private areas. He then undressed and had sexual intercourse with her,” reads part of the indictment.
Court documents also reveal that Ssozi was found with the victim at the scene, leading to his arrest. He initially confessed to defiling the girl and asked for forgiveness.
Nyeba’s case
The judge also released Nyeba and warned him against reoffending.
“I have released you, but do not return to the girl (victim). Do not pursue her, even though she is now of legal age and was the reason for your three-year imprisonment. Avoid conflict to prevent further imprisonment,” she said.
Nyeba, from Lubyakiro Village in Wakiso District, was accused of defiling the girl he had eloped with on October 15, 2020.
Court records show Nyeba was initially charged with trafficking in persons, later changed to simple defilement, leading to his remand.
Nyeba also requested forgiveness in court and was subsequently released.
Defilement cases in Uganda
The latest police crime report revealed that 13,144 juveniles were defiled in 2023, including 383 by individuals with HIV/AIDS.
Among the victims, 12,818 were female and 326 were male. At least 97 were defiled by parents, 90 by guardians, and 211 by teachers. Defilement victims with disabilities numbered 131.
Defilement Convict, 75, Begs Court: ‘Let Me Go and Die at Home’