The Masaka Chief Magistrate Charles Yeitesi has convicted the Malongo Sub county LC III chairperson in Lwengo district to a jail term of one year or a fine of Shillings 2 million for soliciting a bribe in an aggravated defilement case.
Simeo Ssenkyama is convicted on two counts of concealing a criminal act and soliciting a bribe from the offenders.
Court has found Ssenkyama guilty of aiding the sexual abuse against a 12 year old girl and soliciting a bribe from the offender.
In 2017, Ssenkyama connived with the victim’s father identified as Francis Tushabe, to solicit a bribe of Shillings 1.2 million from Edison Kyalisiima, the offender and accordingly allowed him to take in the girl for a wife.
Reuben Tumusiime, the Officer in Charge of Katovu Police Post told the court in his evidence that in addition to initiating negotiations, Ssenkyama also witnessed a formal agreement between the victim’s father and the offender who was at the time 20 years of age.
Ssenkyama also assisted the escape of the offender Kyalisiima to avoid police arrest.
The victim later fled from the forced marriage and sought refuge with her relatives in Ntugamo district. Charles Yeitesi, the Masaka Chief Magistrate found Ssenkyama guilty of overstepping his mandate as a Sub county chairperson to the extent of assuming powers of court to adjudicate in criminal matters.
