The Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) has announced a cash reward of (10 million) shillings for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of a University lecturer, Dr. Lawrence Eron, who is wanted on allegations of aggravated defilement of a 16-year-old visually impaired girl.
Dr. Lawrence Eron is a Dean of the Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation at Kyambogo University.
Police spokesman Fred Enanga made the revelation at a press conference on Monday.
“A substantial cash reward of Ugx 10m, awaits any member of the public, who avails us information that can lead to his arrest. We believe, the suspect is still hiding within the country, with the help of his closest relative, and friends,” Enanga said.
“We want to warn anyone, who will be found harbouring or aiding his escape, that it is an offence punishable by law. They will be arrested and charged with harbouring or aiding the escape of a wanted suspect. In addition, CID headquarters has processed a warrant of arrest and submitted it to Interpol, to issue a Red Notice against him. The suspect is wanted for a straight forward case of Aggravated Defilement,” he added.
The student of Sir Apollo Kaggwa, Nakisunga, in Mukono District, was allegedly raped by the senior university don after returning from a conference in Nairobi, Kenya in October 2023.
According to sources, the visually impaired student was a beneficiary of a programme funded by Royal Dutch Visio, an organisation that supports children with visual impairments in secondary schools in many parts of the country.
The organisation partners with Kyambogo University to implement its programmes.
The sources revealed that on October 7, 2023, the victim together with other students went for the conference in Nairobi. The team was led by Dr Eron in the Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation at Kyambogo University.
After the conference on October 14, the students returned to Uganda late in the night and the accused Dr Eron was entrusted by the team to drop some of them to their homes using his vehicle.
“One girl woke up the following morning and found that she had been penetrated. So, she rushed to school and reported the matter to the school administration. The school administration telephoned the parents of the girls who stay in Arua (West Nile Sub-region),” the source explained.
On October 23, the student in the company of her parents reported the matter to Jinja Road Police Station.
The following day, the accused university staff was arrested and detained at Jinja Road Police Station until October 27 when he was granted police bond.
Mr Deogratius Waddimba, the head teacher of the Sir Apollo Kaggwa SS, Nakisunga, confirmed the incident.
“It is true it happened to our child and it’s very unfortunate,” he said
Mr Waddimba added that victim, who is currently sitting her Senior Four exams, first disclosed the incident to one of her friends, who also reported it to the matron and then to the head master.
He said the police came and recorded a statement from different students and staff members.