By ALEX PITHUA

Police in Arua have arrested a 13-year-old girl for the alleged sexual assault of a 5-year-old boy in Andivu village, Vurra sub-county, Arua district.

It’s alleged that the suspect, whose name has been withheld, assaulted the victim on the night of April 4, 2025, after the boy’s mother, a neighbor of the suspect, left him in her care to attend overnight prayers.

The father, a security guard, was also away on night duty.

Two days later, the victim began complaining of pain due to injuries on his foreskin, which raised the father’s suspicions.

Upon questioning, the boy disclosed that the suspect had asked him to lie on top of her.

The father took the child for a medical examination on April 10, 2025.

Based on the doctor’s findings and advice, he reported the matter to Arua Vurra Central Police Station, leading to the suspect’s arrest on April 11, 2025.

She was subsequently charged with sexual assault under SD REF: CRB 079/2025.

Asea Collins, the acting police spokesperson for the West Nile region, confirmed the report and urged parents to avoid negligence by ensuring proper supervision of their children when left in the care of others.

According to the police annual crime report, a total of 14,425 sex-related cases, representing 6.6% of all registered crimes nationwide, were reported in 2024, compared to 14,846 cases in 2023, reflecting a 2.8% decrease.

Alex Pitua is news editor at Zoomer Africa