Father arrested for defiling own two daughters claims he’s being framed

James Biryabarema, a man arrested on allegations of defiling his daughters has said he is being framed by his own children. Biryabarema is a resident of Biina zone, Luzira, Nakawa division, in Kampala.

While recording a statement with detectives at the sexual and gender-based violence at Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Biryabarema maintained his earlier innocence claims at Kitintale police station where the case was first reported.

The suspect said he suspects someone might have influenced his daughters aged 17 and 15 to frame him. He was arrested over the weekend after his two daughters complained to Biina Zone secretary for women affairs, Zainab Mirembe, that they were tired of being sexually abused by their biological father.

Upon listening to the girls’ allegations against their own father, Mirembe led them to Kitintale police station where a case file was opened. 

“The girls came to me saying they no longer want to stay at their home. I asked them why and they told me that their father has been sexually abusing them,” Mirembe said.

Police later proceeded and arrested Biryabarema who has denied ever subjecting his own children to sexual intercourse. The girls have since been moved to CID headquarters in Kibuli where a medical examination was conducted.

Quoting the medical examination findings, Fred Enanga, police spokesperson, said the girls have been sexually penetrated several times. However, investigations into the whole incident are still ongoing. Detectives have also subjected Biryabarema to a mental examination to establish his level of consciousness.

“Victims have been examined and also found to have been defiled,” Enanga said.”The father has been medically examined and has been found to be very normal. Intrafamilial sex is very common. We urge the public that whenever they see early warning signs of sexual abuse, they should always alert the police.” 

The teenagers are being sheltered and counselled by police officers from the sexual and gender-based violence department of CID. Detectives have established that the children have been living with their father for over three years. The accused hasn’t revealed the whereabouts of the children’s mother.

Biryabarema has been slapped with six counts, two of aggravated defilement, threatening violence against his own children, and incest. Aggravated defilement is contrary to sections 129 (3) and (4) (a) of The Penal Code Act by a juvenile. For one to be convicted, the prosecution must prove that victim was below 14 years of age, a sexual act was performed on the victim, and that it is the juvenile offender who performed the sexual act on the victim.

In this case, the age of a child can be proved by the production of her birth certificate, or by the testimony of the parents or the court’s own observation.