A local herbalist in Luweero District has been arrested following allegations of aggravated defilement of a 12-year-old girl. The incident occurred in Kizito Zone, Luweero Town Council, and the suspect, Sheik Muhammed Husman, is currently in police custody.

According to reports, the young girl, a pupil at Estimate Nursery and Primary School, fell ill on August 22. Her grandmother sought treatment from Husman, a local herbalist, who allegedly asked to take the girl into his herbal room alone for six consecutive days. During these sessions, the herbalist reportedly instructed the girl to remove her clothes and apply herbs to her private parts, claiming it was part of the treatment.

On the sixth day, the herbalist allegedly defiled the girl, who later confided in her grandmother. However, the grandmother did not take the girl’s claims seriously. The victim then shared her ordeal with her school headteacher, who informed her father. The father promptly reported the matter to the police, leading to Husman’s arrest.

“The girl took this information to the headteacher of her school, who shared it with the father, and that’s how we managed to apprehend the Sheik,” Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said.

Rusoke highlighted the vulnerability of children in such situations, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance from parents and guardians. “Juveniles are very vulnerable when they come into contact with strangers. They need to be under the accompaniment of adults who are a little more vigilant,” he stated.

He also stressed that parents should take greater care in protecting their children from potential abusers, including those in seemingly harmless settings like salons and shops. “Children often encounter these kinds of abuses when sent to barbershops or on errands, and that’s when they meet these monsters. Parents need to take more interest in protecting these children,” Rusoke added.

The herbalist is expected to face charges of aggravated defilement, with police vowing to ensure justice is served.