A Ugandan court has sentenced an 18-year-old man to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl during a church service in April 2025.
The assault took place when the child briefly stepped outside the church and was led away by the perpetrator. After the traumatic incident, the young survivor courageously informed her mother, prompting immediate action. The suspect was quickly located near the church and arrested.
Medical examinations confirmed the girl’s account, and formal charges were filed. However, the case initially faced setbacks when the charges were downgraded, potentially allowing the accused to be released on bail.
Legal advocates from the International Justice Mission (IJM) intervened swiftly, petitioning the magistrate to prevent bail and working with the child’s mother to reinstate the original charges.
Despite community pressure on the family to withdraw the case, IJM provided continued legal and emotional support. The suspect was re-arrested last year, and the case proceeded through the justice system.
The court’s 10-year sentence stands as a critical victory for the survivor and her family, highlighting the power of legal advocacy and collaboration among justice officials, civil society, and communities in confronting sexual violence.
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