The Busoga Kingdom has taken a powerful stand against delayed justice, announcing the indefinite suspension of its highly anticipated annual Kagulu Hill Climbing Challenge, originally slated for August 17th. The decision comes as a direct protest over the protracted and unaddressed case of “Princess Justice” (name changed for child protection), a young girl allegedly gang-defiled by two security officers during last year’s pre-event activities.
The harrowing incident, which saw Princess Justice, then 16 years old, subjected to alleged defilement during the Annual Kagulu Climbing Challenge Tourism Expo in 2024 (reported in the Daily Monitor on September 11, 2024, with case file SD 21/17/8/24 at Irundu Sub County Model Police Post), remains unresolved, nearly a year later. Now a Senior One student, the girl’s plight was brought to the forefront during a recent itinerary meeting in Jinja, organized by the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) Project – a consortium including Water Aid, Forum for African Women Educationists (FAWE), Right to Play, and FHI 360, dedicated to advancing gender equality and sexual/reproductive health rights.
Speaking passionately at the dialogue with SHARE partners, cultural, religious, and civic leaders, Edward Paul Munaaba, the Busoga Kingdom Minister for General Duties in the Prime Minister’s Office, minced no words in condemning the stalled justice process.
“We can’t celebrate one year of delayed justice and be portrayed as a Kingdom which can’t protect its children,” Munaaba declared. “The Kingdom is morally obliged to protect its subjects and walk the talk of child protection. Going back to the same place and event while the young girl hasn’t yet got justice will be a mockery, not walking the talk of child protection and lending credit to the perpetuators of injustice Busoga is notoriously known for.”
He continued, emphasizing the gravity of the situation: “We therefore halt the event and demand police gives a detailed case progress, and how far they have gone to ensure the girl gets due justice because the Kingdom will be perceived to be an accomplice in the vice.”
Joyce Abaliwano, the Kingdom’s Minister for Gender, Women and Children Affairs, who has been instrumental in counseling and caring for the traumatized survivor, reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment. “The Kingdom cannot condone crime and injustice to its subjects,” she stated, emphasizing efforts to eliminate the “vice of using defilement, child marriages and teenage pregnancies for economic gains” from Busoga.
“These vices are not only criminal but culturally and morally wrong and abominations in the Busoga culture,” Abaliwano stressed, “and we demand government response, action and justice for this girl who has now become a clear litmus case of what goes on in efforts to access justice.”
While commending organizations like Plan International and FAWE, along with Mama Rebecca Kadaga, for their swift response in providing counseling and psychosocial support, Abaliwano highlighted Princess Justice’s ongoing needs, particularly for her education. She revealed that the girl still faces a pending school fees bill of Shs 1.3 million for two terms, a sum that threatens her continued schooling as the headteacher patiently awaits a sponsor.
The Busoga North police region’s annual crime report for 2023 and 2024 paints a grim picture, with 698 defilement cases and 133 aggravated defilement cases registered. It also indicated 49 rape cases, 171 children suffering neglect, and 43 tortured.
Gloria Auma, the FAWE Program Coordinator, applauded the Busoga Kingdom’s decisive action. “We support the Kingdom’s good stand in pursuit for justice and sustained protection of its subjects because justice is bigger and more important than the event,” Auma asserted. “We can’t sacrifice justice for crime, and the Kingdom is setting the pace, putting the children’s agenda right and sending a clearer, stronger and most valued message and lessons to all duty bearers.”
Michael Kanaku, the Buyende District Chairperson, whose district was unfortunately cited as having the highest national crime statistics for defilement last year, lamented the incident. “It is undesirable, unacceptable and a grave insult to our Kyabazinga who is the International Ambassador for Children Protection that a vice committed at his very event can’t see justice what of the local cases,” Kanaku voiced. He further advocated for higher authorities to intervene, critical of security agencies that seem “more concerned on protecting their image and doing a lot of damage control than dispensing justice to the young girl,” especially when the case involves those who are meant to protect.
Busoga North Police spokesperson, Michael Kasadha, called for calm, assuring that police were handling the case sensitively and had resorted to scientific investigation due to its complicated nature. “We went scientific, collected samples from the officers on duty, and we are waiting for the results to take informed action and be assured that due justice will be given,” he stated.
Despite her ordeal, Princess Justice remains remarkably resilient. Speaking to journalists at her school recently, she expressed unwavering faith, stating she has “left everything to the Lord who is the provider, guardian and Chief Judge.” While lamenting that those denying her justice “will also face the same or even worse as individuals or their families,” she expressed optimism that justice, though delayed, will eventually prevail. Her current focus, she said, is securing her future, for which she is grateful to all who have aided in her healing and resettlement.
“Those people broke my virginity and continue to break my trust in security by denying me justice,” she said emotionally. “It haunts and traumatizes them more than it does to me.” She expressed immense gratitude to the health workers at Irundu Health Center who provided her with PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) immediately, which she credits with saving her from HIV/AIDS infection and unwanted pregnancy.
Princess Justice also raised an urgent alarm for countless other girls who, unlike herself, cannot access the necessary attention and services, enduring defilement, rape, and unwanted pregnancies due to ignorance of health services like PEP or inability to afford them. “I am lucky I got media attention, got counseling and now resettled at school thanks to Media, Aunt Joyce, Mama Kadaga, Plan International and FAWE,” she concluded. “Now I stay focused, live tight, happy and confident of the future but many girls are out there worse than myself who need rescue and attention.”
The Busoga Kingdom’s bold move underscores a growing demand for accountability and justice, sending a clear message that cultural heritage and tourism cannot thrive at the expense of its children’s safety and well-being.
