A policeman at the rant of Inspector of Police, Thomas Otim has been dismissed from the Force for defiling a 21-month-old toddler. The dismissal followed a forensic examination that confirmed that the suspect defiled the baby. Thomas Otim will face a full criminal trial as a civilian.
It is alleged that Otim three weeks ago lured the toddler to his room at Arua Central Police Station and sexually abused her. The baby’s mother later discovered that the police officer, Thomas Otim had defiled the baby. Ironically, Thomas Otim was heading the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) at Arua Central Police Station.PSU is the police force’s disciplinary arm that conducts investigations against police officers involved in crimes against the operation and standing orders.
Detectives attached to the Professional Standards Unit and Criminal Investigations Directorate arrested Otim. A medical examination confirmed that the toddler had been defiled.
Forensic teams picked fingerprints and other exhibits proved that the 49-year-old, Thomas Otim sexually abused the toddler. “IP Otim was attached to the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) at Arua CPS. He called the girl into his room at midday on October 9, 2023, and sexually abused the helpless juvenile. We are now charging him with aggravated defilement,” detectives said in a report.
Senior Commissioner of Police- SCP Fred Enanga said Otim abused his position as a law enforcement officer and his file has since been sent to the Resident State Attorney (RSA) so that he can be arraigned in court for trial.
“We strongly condemn the actions of our officer and continue to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse in the country. Being a law enforcement officer, he was meant to protect the female juvenile,” Enanga said.
Police statistics for 2022 show that 24 girls are defiled every day across the country. Although most victims are those aged 13 to 17 years, there is also a significant number of girls defiled at the ages of 0-eight and in most cases it is by people supposed to protect them like fathers, uncles, teachers, and siblings.
In a related incident, Police Constable, Masudi Byekwaso has been arrested on corruption allegations. Byekwaso, according to PSU’s ongoing investigations allegedly received 1.8 million shillings from Olik Arap Moi to ‘kill’ a defilement case against Ronald Oneka.
Moi is the father to Oneka who allegedly defiled a 14-year-old girl on August 31, this year. Byekwaso suspiciously released Oneka from Palabek Gen Police Post without being referred to Lamwo main police station.
Byekwaso’s action attracted social media condemnation of the police force which attracted PSU to arrest him. Enanga said after Byekwaso’s arrest, police have now embarked on hunting for Oneka the defilement suspect who is on the run.
“Efforts are now in place to have the defilement suspect Oneka and his father Moi arrested. The case file was retrieved and relevant statements of the complainant, victim, and witnesses and that of the suspect, were all missing, as well medical forms,” detectives said.
PSU is headed by Commissioner of Police –CP Sarah Kibwika. Every year, more than 50 police officers get investigated over misconduct and offenses related to corruption, shootings, assaults, and bribes.
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