Police authorities in Buyende district, have dismissed the Deputy Inspector of Police (D/IP) Balikowa, for raping a victim of domestic violence.
DIP Balikowa, who was in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Namusita police post, sexually assaulted a 30-year-old housewife from Kalambo village, Ndolwe sub-county, who had approached the police to report a case of domestic violence against her husband, Odere Ronald, on October 12, 2023, around 11 am.
Fred Enanga the Uganda police spokesperson says a team of three police officers was dispatched to her residence to arrest her husband, but he was not found at home. Fearing for her safety, the victim hesitated to return home until her husband was apprehended.
Enanga explains that at approximately 6:30 pm, Balikowa allegedly offered the victim a place to stay, assuring her that he had found suitable accommodations. Instead, he drove her to his residence at Nakabira police barracks, provided her with food and drinks, and subsequently subjected her to sexual assault on two occasions.
He states that the following morning, around 9 am, the victim was reportedly dropped near Namusita police post by the officer, who promised to arrest her husband as previously agreed.
During the daytime, Odere, the victim’s husband, was indeed arrested, and a statement was recorded from him. Mediation between the parties ensued, leading to the husband paying for his wife’s medical treatment after he had allegedly assaulted her.
However, the victim later reported the alleged rape to the regional authorities, leading to the arrest of the suspect, and his consequent rape charges.