The High Court in Arua has sentenced Anguzu Andrew, a former Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier, to 45 years in prison for committing a sexual offence against a 13-year-old girl.
Justice Vincent Wagona handed down the sentence following a successful prosecution by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Court heard that Anguzu, who left the army in 2017, later married the grandmother of the victim, placing him within the child’s extended family.
The prosecution presented evidence showing that Anguzu misled the child into accompanying him, after which he committed the offence at his residence.
The case was further aggravated by the accused’s awareness of a serious health condition at the time of the offence. Medical examinations later confirmed that the child did not contract the condition.
Chief State Attorney and ODPP Arua Regional Officer Richard Muhereza led the prosecution, presenting medical reports and witness statements that helped establish the circumstances of the crime.
After evaluating the evidence, the court convicted Anguzu and sentenced him to 45 years’ imprisonment.
The ruling underscores the justice system’s commitment to protecting minors and holding offenders accountable for serious offences.
