Police in Lugazi Municipality, Buikwe District, have arrested and detained one of their officers over the alleged defilement of a 15-year-old girl.
Ms Hellen Butoto, the Ssezibwa Regional Police spokesperson, on Friday confirmed the arrest, saying the officer is being investigated over the alleged sexual abuse of a minor, which took place on Thursday.
“We have arrested our police officer on suspicion of defiling a minor, an act we condemn as police,” Ms Butoto said.
She added that the officer was entrusted with protecting the girl but allegedly abused his authority.
Ms Butoto said the suspect will be produced in court once police investigations are complete.
She further disclosed that samples reportedly collected from the victim’s body had been taken to the Government Analytical Laboratory in Wandegeya for examination to support the ongoing investigation.
Police did not disclose whether the girl is a pupil or student and how she came into contact with the officer, but Ms Butoto said the circumstances surrounding the incident were still under investigation.
The victim, whose parents are yet to be known, has been placed under the care of the Child and Family Protection Unit at Lugazi Police Station.
Ms Butoto urged parents and members of the public to remain vigilant and regularly talk to children, particularly during the school holidays, about personal safety.
She warned that children can be lured by strangers using simple gifts and urged parents to ensure that children, including boys, are protected from sexual abuse.
Uganda recorded 10,492 defilement cases in 2025, according to police statistics, representing a 14.8 percent decrease from the 12,312 cases reported in 2024.
Of the cases recorded in 2025, 7,019 were classified as simple defilement while 3,473 were aggravated defilement cases, involving children below 18 years.