A magistrate in Kampala has refused to accept a plea bargain arrangement in a defilement case involving a 35-year-old boda boda rider, stating that justice cannot be substituted with financial compensation.
On Thursday, Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi of the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court dismissed a proposed agreement in which the suspect, David Muwanguzi, was to compensate the 15-year-old victim’s guardians with UGX 500,000. The magistrate ruled that the seriousness of the offense demanded a full trial.
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“This cannot happen in my court,” Mr. Kayizzi said. “You defiled a girl, and after she reported to police, you sit with her guardians and agreed to pay UGX 500,000? I have rejected the plea bargain. This case will be heard in the interest of justice for the victim.”
The rejection followed submissions from State Attorney Ivan Kyazze, who informed the court that the parties had entered into a plea deal under which Muwanguzi admitted guilt in exchange for a lighter sentence and a cash settlement.
However, the magistrate noted with concern that neither the victim nor her guardians were present in court and stressed the importance of their involvement in such proceedings. He directed that the case be heard fully and instructed court officials to ensure the victim is present at the next hearing, scheduled for 11 August.
According to court records, the offense took place on 4 July 2025 in Kyebando Kisalosalo, a suburb of Kampala. The victim reported the incident to police and was examined by a police surgeon. Investigators gathered statements from the victim’s guardian—her biological parents are deceased—and from neighbors, while the scene of the alleged crime was documented by forensic officers.
The case has drawn wider attention amid growing public concern over increasing defilement cases in Uganda. Legal experts and child rights activists have recently called for stricter enforcement and judicial integrity in handling sexual violence cases, particularly those involving minors.
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