Police in Nyendo, Masaka City, have arrested a 20-year-old man after he was allegedly found with a schoolgirl at a guest house, with authorities now investigating how the minor ended up at the lodge.
The suspect was arrested together with the girl at Gofrex Guest House following a tip-off from a resident who alerted police that a man had taken a school-going girl to the lodge.
Officers from Nyendo Police Station responded to the alert and were reportedly informed by guest house workers that the two were inside one of the rooms.
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Police said officers ordered the occupants to open the room, but sspect allegedly claimed that the person inside with him was his sister.
The officers nevertheless intervened and arrested him.
Police said the girl gave different accounts about her age, initially saying she was 17 before later claiming to be 18. However, when asked about her year of birth, she reportedly indicated that she was 15.
Both the suspect and the girl were taken to Nyendo Police Station, where they remained in custody as investigations continued.
Masaka Regional Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye said officers acted on information from a community member who reported that a man had entered the lodge with a schoolgirl.
"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 indicates that both the suspect and the girl are residents of Sembabule District, while the girl had reportedly left a school in Mbarara District.
He warned men against engaging in sexual activities with children, saying police would take 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.
Joseph Kaweesi Muhumuza, a boda boda rider who reportedly transported the pair, said they initially asked him for directions before eventually asking him to take them to a lodge.
Kaweesi said he became suspicious after the two repeatedly changed their destination.
"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.
The incident has raised concerns among residents about the safety of school-going children and allegations that some men take young girls to lodges.
Residents called for increased monitoring of lodges and urged operators not to allow children into their premises for activities that could expose them to abuse or exploitation.
They also called for lodge owners and operators to be held accountable where investigations establish that they knowingly facilitated unlawful activities involving children.
Jane, a resident, said authorities should strengthen monitoring of lodges and enforce stricter measures to protect children.
Another resident, Stephen Lubega, called for increased community vigilance and stronger enforcement of laws protecting children.
Masaka City Resident Commissioner Ahmed Washaki urged police to conduct a thorough investigation and take action against anyone found to have violated laws protecting children.
"Police should not play around with this case it is state that is complaining. I don't want to hear that their is not complainant. Such matters require serious attention because they concern the safety and future of a child," Washaki said.
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He also urged parents to closely monitor school-going children, including knowing where they are and the people 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. This can help protect them from bad acts, including sexual abuse and other dangers that may be caused by men who target young girls," he said.
The suspect and the girl remained at Nyendo Police Station as police continued their investigations.
The circumstances surrounding the girl's presence at the lodge, including how she got there and whether any offence was committed, remain subject to police investigations and due process of law.
