Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 21-year-old carpenter to 18 months in prison for defiling a senior three student.
The Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi handed the sentence to Emmanuel Waswa after he pleaded guilty to one count of defilement contrary to Section 116(1) of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.
The prosecution led by Ms Grace Amy told court that on August 7, 2025 at around 5am, the girl (name withheld) met ‘her ex-boyfriend Waswa on her way to school.’
Waswa reportedly convinced her to first go with him to Kisaasi where he lived.
On the way, he offered the girl a soda. After drinking it, she reportedly felt dizzy and Waswa took her to a lodge where he had sexual intercourse with her.
The following day, the girl’s father reported the matter to Kira Police after he got information that she had been defiled. A medical examination confirmed the student had a fresh tear while Wasswa was assessed and found to be of sound mind.
‘The convict is a first-time offender; however, these types of offences are rampant. The victim is a student. We pray for a deterrent punishment,’ Ms Amy told court during mitigation.
In response, Waswa’s lawyer, Mr Christopher Ochom, asked the court to consider his client’s age and remorse.
‘It is true he is a first-time offender. He is at a border age between a child and an adult, being 18 at the time. He has been remorseful and pleaded guilty without wasting the court’s time,’ Mr Ochom submitted.
He added that at the time of his arrest, Waswa was a student of carpentry, and asked the court to exercise leniency.
Drama unfolded when the magistrate asked Waswa what he had put in the complainant’s soda that could have caused the dizziness, noting that such an act would be an aggravating factor.
‘.please speak the truth. I did not put anything in your soda, and you know it,’ Waswa said, directly addressing the complainant who was also in court. She maintained that she drank the soda and then got dizzy.
After a brief engagement with defence counsel, court heard that the two had actually bought the soda together.
‘The convict is sentenced to 18 months in prison, deducting the period of two months and 20 days spent on remand. You have the right to appeal,’ Mr Kayizzi ruled.
Meanwhile, the court granted Waswa’s co-accused, Benjamin Niyonsaba, 18, a cash bail of Shs1 million.
Niyonsaba is also accused of defiling the same girl. He denied the charge and is awaiting trial.