Two university students, Innocent Wasande and Emmanuel Mwijukye, have been arrested by the police on charges of sedating a woman and subjecting her to repeated sexual assault on Independence Day, October 9.
The alleged victim, known as Cindy, disclosed that she ventured out to Nakulabye in Kampala City for leisure, leaving her home and business area in the Kabawo zone, Lubaga division, around 7 pm that evening. While at a bar, she was approached by the two suspects, who, as per Cindy, befriended her.
Cindy’s memory becomes hazy at this point, and she reported not knowing how she was taken from the bar, sexually assaulted, and then transported to a medical facility.
Detectives from Old Kampala police stated that a passerby noticed the students engaging in sexual assault and promptly alerted others, leading to the rescue of Cindy and the apprehension of the two suspects.
The police investigation suggests that Cindy was drugged while in the bar, and the students managed to take her out of the establishment without raising suspicions. They had seemingly entered the bar with the intent of targeting a female victim to fulfill their sexual desires.
Cindy, who runs a mobile money shop, frequently visits Nakulabye to unwind after work. Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, has urged bar management to exercise vigilance and monitor patrons who enter alone or with the assistance of others, to determine their relationship and assess the condition of the customer.
Such incidents of sedation, followed by robbery or sexual assault, are not uncommon and have been reported in areas like Kawempe Tula, Kanyanya, Mpeleerwe, and Makindye Salama road, affecting both civilians and security personnel.