The Uganda Police Force (UPF) has rescued a 15-year-old girl (names withheld), who had just completed her PLE examinations and was being forced into marriage by her parents.
According to Maureen Atuhaire, the Commissioner of Child and Family Protection Department at UPF, police acted swiftly to the call that was made by Rurekyera Geofrey, the Kazo FM station manager. The 15-year-old girl was rescued on 24th November 2022, before she was shipped off to get married.
The afore mentioned girl is a daughter of Ntambara James, the LC1 chairperson of Kyeshande village, Kinoni Sub County in Nakaseke district, whereas the suitor is a son of Rugyengamanzi, who hails from Kyankwanzi district.
At the time of the rescue, the suitor’s family had already paid her bride price, which was brought in form of cows, a tradition in Western Uganda.
According to Atuhaire, Ntaambara, the father of the daughter was arrested on Thursday and taken to Ngoma Police Station, where he spent the night. He also made a statement while at the station.
The young girl spent the night at a police station in Luweero and will be transferred today, to the CID headquarters in Kibuli.
Atuhaire cautions the public against the vice of forcing young girls into marriage and calls upon the concerned party’s to come together and fight against it.
“It is a disease that we must treat right from the grass root level. There is need for a strong partnership among stakeholders,” she said.
Police this year has rescued several girls from forced marriages in several parts of the country through community policing, tips from concerned citizens and investigations.