Arua police standards unit boss dismissed over defiling 21-month-old baby

49-year-old inspector of police (IP) Thomas Otim has been dismissed from the police force for allegedly defiling a 21-month-old toddler.  

It is alleged that Otim, three weeks ago, lured the toddler, a daughter to his neighbour, Dr Charles Madrama, the West Nile regional police surgeon to his room at Arua Central police station and sexually abused her. Forensic examination confirmed that the toddler had been defiled. Detectives allegedly picked Otim’s fingerprints and other exhibits from the baby.

Otim will now face a full criminal trial as a civilian. Ironically, Otim was heading the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) in West Nile region and was based at Arua Central police station. PSU is the police force’s disciplinary arm that conducts investigations against police officers involved in crimes against the operation and standing orders. 

“IP Otim was attached to the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) at Arua CPS. He called the girl into his room at midday on October 9, 2023, and sexually abused the helpless juvenile. We are now charging him with aggravated defilement,” detectives said in a report.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said Otim abused his position as a law enforcement officer and his file has since been sent to the resident state attorney (RSA) so that he can be arraigned in court for trial.

“We strongly condemn the actions of our officer and continue to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse in the country. Being a law enforcement officer, he was meant to protect the female juvenile,” Enanga said.

Interestingly, Otim was earlier released due to lack of sufficient evidence to implicate him in this very case. Last week, Josephine Angucia, the West Nile police spokesperson, said that Otim was released from Arua police cells after the resident state attorney advised that the case file be closed due to insufficient evidence when it was forwarded for perusal and legal advice.

Police statistics for 2022 show that 24 girls are defiled every day across the country. Although most victims are those aged 13 to 17 years, there is also a significant number of girls defiled at ages 0-8 years, and in most cases, it is by people supposed to protect them like fathers, uncles, teachers, and siblings.

In a related incident, police constable, Masudi Byekwaso has been arrested on corruption allegations. Byekwaso, according to PSU’s ongoing investigations allegedly received Shs 1.8 million from Olik Arap Moi to ‘kill’ a defilement case against Ronald Oneka. Moi is the father to Oneka who allegedly defiled a 14-year-old girl on August 31, this year. Byekwaso suspiciously released Oneka from Palabek Gen police post without being referred to Lamwo main police station.

Byekwaso’s action attracted social media condemnation of the police force which attracted PSU to arrest him. Enanga said after Byekwaso’s arrest, police have now embarked on hunting for Oneka the defilement suspect who is on the run.

“Efforts are now in place to have the defilement suspect Oneka and his father Moi arrested. The case file was retrieved and relevant statements of the complainant, victim, and witnesses and that of the suspect, were all missing, as well medical forms,” detectives said.

PSU is headed by commissioner of police Sarah Kibwika. Every year, more than 50 police officers get investigated over misconduct and offenses related to corruption, shootings, assaults, and bribes.