DPP to decide fate of soldier accused of attempting to rape daughter

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) has sent the file of a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier, Brasil Okwang, accused of attempting to rape his daughter to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Pte Okwang who returned from African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is being accused by his 17-year-old daughter of attempting to rape her inside a tent at a construction site in Kira Central, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.

According to the daughter, Okwang wanted to spend some time with her since he had been away from the family. “I came when it was evening hours and he convinced me to stay with him at the site. When it became dark, I entered the tent in which he was sleeping to rest. I had my father touching me with intent to engage in sexual acts,” she said.

The girl said she tried to push his father away but he became too serious and very determined to forcefully engage her in sexual intercourse. The girl decided to make an alarm that attracted nearby residents who came to her rescue.

Okwang was eventually arrested by the locals who took him to Kira Division police alongside his daughter and the rifle. However, Okwang denies any acts of attempting to rape his daughter.

ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Police Spokesperson at Kampala Metropolitan confirmed that the file has been sent to the office of the DPP so that they can guide on preferred charges against Okwang. “We have the soldier in our custody and we handed over his gun to UPDF authorities. We are now waiting for the DDP’s legal guidance since the act had not yet been committed on the girl,” Owoyesigyire said.

UPDF soldiers who have returned from Somalia are often given counseling for four weeks before they are released to go and meet their families. This is often done to prepare them for the challenges they could encounter as a result of what they have experienced in a war-trodden country but also what could have occurred or changed in their families in their absence.

Detectives suspect that Okwang was not taken through this counseling and he was quickly deployed to guard the construction premises of one of the senior military officers without giving him enough to have sexual intercourse with his partner.

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