Kampala — Mukono district chairperson Francis Lukooya has ordered health officials in government-aided hospitals and health centres to stop asking for medical examination fees from defilement victims.

He said the district would pay the fee. Lukooya added that the move was aimed at removing barriers which prevent the smooth investigation of defilement cases.

"Most defilement victims come from poor families and making them pay a fee before they are examined may result into delayed justice," Lukooya said.

He made the remarks on Tuesday while opening a stakeholders' feedback forum on child sexual abuse. The forum, organised by the World Vision, was held at Mukono Resort Hotel recently.

But the Mukono deputy director of health services, Dr. Anthony Konde, defended the charges, saying examining the victims was the work of the Police surgeons and not doctors at government hospitals.

He said hospitals might stop examining the victims if the charge is scrapped.