Kyambogo University Deputy Vice Chancellor Charged with Defilement of a Blind Student Remanded Again
Some of the people with disability holding placards outside court at Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
| NAKAWA | KYAGGWE TV | Court has further remanded Dr. Eron Lawrence, the former deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration at Kyambogo University pending investigations into his case.
Dr. Eron (56), who also doubled as the head of the Special Needs and Rehabilitation Faculty, is facing charges of aggravated defilement. It is alleged that he defiled a 16-year-old blind student whom he also infected with HIV/Aids.
Dr. Eron on Wednesday appeared before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate, Christine Nantege for mention of his case and she further remanded him to Luzira Prison.
Prosecution led by Eunice Mbayine alleges that on October 12, 2023, between Kyambogo University and Namugongo-Nsawo Cell in Kira Municipality, Dr. Eron sexually abused a visually impaired Senior Four student.
The Chief Magistrate has remanded Dr. Eron to Luzira prison until July 31, 2024. The courtroom has been filled to capacity with a number of people with disabilities headed by their leaders whose turn up in numbers has been a sign of solidarity to the victim.
Outside the courtroom, after the case’s adjournment, the leaders from different disability organisations addressed the media as they asked for timely justice, given the status of the victim as a visually impaired person. Other members held placards bearing writings that demanded for security of the disabled children from the perpetrators of sexual and other forms of violence.
“Protect the girls with disabilities from sexual harassment, prosecute the perpetrators. Let girls with disabilities study, they also have a future,” read some of the words on the placards.
Francis Kinubi, the chairperson of the National Association of the Blind showed dismay to the fact that the person of Dr. Eron’s stature in a high position of authority lowered himself to that extent when he turned against the student who was under his care.
Agnes Aserait, the chief executive officer of Reach a Voice Uganda expressing herself at court.
Kinubi said that many of the visually impaired children and other disabled girls are defiled and the perpetrators are not arrested, yet even those arrested are set free on grounds of lack of substantial evidence.
“The fact that this case is thoroughly investigated with all the evidence laid before the court, we want to have this one case followed to its logical conclusion,” he said.
Agnes Aserait, the chief executive officer of Reach a Voice Uganda, an association advocating for the rights of children and adolescents with disabilities said that as people with disability, they had to turn-up in numbers to follow up, one of the many cases of sexual abuses happening to disabled children in Uganda.
“We need justice for our disabled girls in Uganda, we are not ready to be compromised. We want this case to be an example to others out there who are defiled and just keep quiet. We need to protect the victims because of their vulnerability,” Aserait said.
The victim’s father, Morgan Amin Muhamood said that though he started following the case alone, he is now happy and firm that with the other disabled community at his back, his daughter will be able to get justice.
Amin told Kyaggwe TV that after Dr. Eron’s arrest, his family members tried to reach out to one of his relatives seeking for dialogue so that they could have the matter resolved out of court.
“However we could not lend them our ears as we asked them to let the law follow its course. I want justice for my daughter, not riches,” he said.
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum