Catholic Priest arrested for child trafficking in Kalungu district

The police at Kyamulibwa station in Kalungu district have arrested a priest on charges of child trafficking. The suspect is Fr Ssemaganda George William a resident of Kyamulibwa trading centre in Kyamulibwa Sub County.

It is also reported that the said priest was serving at Naluzaale Catholic Church in Kyamulibwa until he was allegedly suspended by the heads of the church for his questionable behaviours.

According to Muhammad Nsubuga the Greater Masaka Regional spokesperson, Fr Ssemaganda approached parents on 17/05/2022, deceived and tricked them that he owned a vocational training centre where he would later take their female children to study for free.

The victims are; Nalwanga Nubuyat a 16-year-old resident of Matete in Ssembabule district, Naluyinda Agnes 17 years from Kayunda in Ssembabule district, Namutebi Dorah 15 years from Buwanga in Masaka district, Nulukwata Lilian 16 years from Wunga in Masaka district and Nabasumba Annet 17 years from Bigasa in Bukomansimbi district.

Fr Ssemaganda allegedly told their families that he owns a fully structured Vocational institute, prompting the parents of the five victims to transport their daughters to the said school, located in Kyamulibwa sub-county, in Kalungu district.

The parents hoped that the priest would help with the skilling of their daughters in order for them to find jobs, instead, they got reports later that he attempted to rape the girls, who turned out to be the only students and residents at the said institute.

Nsubuga says that four victims revealed to the police that on several occasions Fr. Ssemaganda attempted to rape them and that he was the only staff of the alleged Vocational institute.

A team of detectives led by IP Kasolo Anthony visited the scene and arrested the priest as investigations into the matter continue.