Caught defiling a minor, suspect digs his way to freedom from police cell

Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A distressed parent in Patiko sub county, Gulu district has sought the intervention of the Aswa Region Police Professional Standard Unit, after a suspect who defiled his daughter escaped lawful custody.

Joseph Awacango P’Odong, the victim’s father says he caught Thomas Tabu, 48, having sex with his 13 year old daughter, a Primary four (P.4) pupil at around 3:00pm on 18 October, 2021. The case was reported to Patiko police post vide SD Ref: 08/18/10/2021, leading to the suspect’s arrest on Tuesday 19th.

Tabu was subjected to a medical test at Patiko health centre III where penetration of the victim was confirmed. The tests also found Tabu HIV positive, and his victim was immediately enrolled on Post-Exposure Prophylaxis-PEP.

PEP is a short course of HIV medicines taken very soon after a possible exposure to HIV, to prevent the virus from taking hold in the body. The treatment is administered within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible exposure to HIV, or it won’t work.

Awacango explains that on the wee hours of Wednesday October 20th, the police called him at around 2:00am reporting that the suspect had dug a hole in the police cell, and escaped from lawful custody.

Later, the police arrested Joel Omona, a boda-boda cyclist and another only identified as Jimmy, a teacher, for being accomplices. On the evening of Tuesday 19th at around 6:00pm, the duo had visited Patiko police outpost and requested to interact with Tabu before he escaped.

Patiko sub county LC 3 chairperson, Patrick Komakech disclosed to URN that they decided to petition the police Professional Standard Unit in Gulu city, because they suspect Tabus’ escape must have been aided out of syndicate or negligence of duty by the officers.

When contacted, Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson David Ongom Mudong said the matter had not yet reached his desk, but requested for more time to follow up the matter before he could make an official response.

This case is one of the many cases of defilement, local leaders are grappling with in Gulu following the impact of extended lockdown measures imposed by government to curtail the spread of Covid-19.

The measures led to closure of schools, forcing learners home and exposing them to social vices such unwanted pregnancies.

*****

URN