The Directorate of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in collaboration with the Office of the Directorate Public Prosecutions (DPP) has re-arrested a police officer for aggravated defilement of a 21-months-old baby.

SCP Fred Eannga, the Police Spokesperson while at a weekly press brief at Naguru police Headquarters on November 6, 2023, said that, the police officer who was accused in Arua for the defiling a 21-months-old girl, has been re-arrested after a thorough review of the case file that found implicating evidence against him and is going to be charged in court.

The police identified the suspect as Thomas Otim, a 49-year-old Inspector of Police attached to the Professions Standards Unit in the North Western region.

“You are aware his file had been put away for lack of sufficient evidence but we want to thank the parents of the victim, Parliament and other children rights defenders for their intervention in this matter which culminated into another transparent review which found the evidence was very incriminating,” Enanga said.

Enanga noted that, Police takes all allegations of sexual abuse as priority, adding that, it is distressing and shocking that, these particular allegations relate to a police officer against a 21-months-old baby who is a minor.

“As the police, we hold all our officers to high standard both on and off duty. We cannot tolerate criminal misconduct or unethical behavior of such caliber, therefore, the officer was suspended from the force and charged with aggravated defilement,” Enanga said.

According to the Penal Code Act, defilement is considered unlawful sexual intercourse with a person below the age of 18. The guilty party, upon conviction, is liable to life imprisonment.