Pastor arrested for defilement, Human trafficking
By Racheal Nuwahereza
The Police in Kiira Region have arrested Pastor James Muwanguzi, 24 for allegedly masterminding the trafficking and defilement of girls from different districts in Eastern Uganda.
Following a tip-off from the neighbors, officers from Budondo police station stormed Life in God international ministries church in Budondo Ward, Jinja City Northern division on Wednesday morning and arrested Pastor Muwanguzi.
The neighbors who tipped off the police claim that Muwanguzi would source girls from Budaka, Namisindwa, Bududa, Jinja and Iganga districts, lock them up in a room he rented to serve as a church and office space and only open for them on Sundays.
When police sealed off the church premises, majority of the girls fled, five of the rescued victims accused Muwanguzi of repeatedly defiling and locking them up with the aim of blocking them from reporting his evil acts.
“Muwanguzi took me from my parents in early February 2022 and promised to foot my school dues, only to lock us up in the church since then to date,” she said one of the rescued girls.
James Mubi, the Kiira region police Spokesperson says that the children are being examined medically while pastor Muwanguzi will be charged with aggravated defilement and trafficking in children.
He also cautioned parents against giving away their children to self-proclaimed childcare givers, without conducting thorough background checks.
