Man Committed to High Court for Allegedly Raping 87-Year-Old Woman

Kitgum Chief Magistrate Robert Ekirita has committed a 39-year-old man to the  High Court for allegedly raping an 87-year-old woman. The suspect is Innocent Ocan, a resident of Tumangu Village in Labongo Akwang Sub-county. He is accused of rape contrary to Section 129(1) and (2) of the Penal Code Act.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on the night of May 23, 2024, when Ocan allegedly raped his victim while she was sleeping alone in her hut in Tumangu Village.

The prosecution alleges that the victim raised an alarm, which drew the attention of her neighbors and relatives, who rushed to her aid and apprehended Ocan. Reports indicate that Ocan has repeatedly assaulted this elderly woman. 

With the assistance of the area Local Council One chairman, after his arrest, Ocan was subsequently handed over to the Labongo Akwang Sub-county Police Station, where he was detained before being transferred to Kitgum Central Police Station.

Yusuf Ssozi, the Kitgum Resident State Attorney, informed the court that the investigations were complete, leading Ekirita to commit Ocan to the High Court for trial. The prosecution also emphasized that the crime was committed under aggravating circumstances, particularly highlighting the severe physical trauma suffered by the victim due to her age, which is contrary to Section 129(4)(f) of the Penal Code Act.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Ekirita noted that his court lacked the jurisdiction to try such a capital case and therefore referred the matter to the High Court. He advised Ocan to apply for bail from the High Court if he chooses to do so. If convicted by the Kitgum High Court, Ocan could face a life sentence according to the Penal Code Act.