Authorities in Nakapiripirit district has slapped fresh charges of assault on a convicted inmate at Namalu prisons.
The inmate is Wilson Magombe a resident of Mayuge district, who was sentenced in 2013 to 17 years in jail for aggravated defilement. He is now accused of attempting to rape a nine-year-old girl in Nakapiripirit district on Friday last week.
According to Moses Lokut one of the residents, he found the minor wrestling the 39-year convict who attempted to rape her along Namalera-Namalu road at 11 am.
"I boxed him and he fell down. Then some community members came and supported me to arrest him and took him to the prison," Lokut said.
Mary Nauyoi the minor's mother also a resident of Nalight village in Kaiku parish, Kawach sub-county, says that her daughter had gone to Namalera health center III for treatment and on her way back she met the inmate loitering along the road.
Uganda Prison Services Spokesperson, Frank Baine confirmed the incident and described it as unfortunate.
"This prisoner was sentenced in 2013 and moved to Moroto prisons and he was transferred to Namalu in 2017 where he is currently serving his sentence," he said.
He explained that the inmate, who has since been charged with assault was among other prisoners who were deployed to work on the prison farm along the highway.
"Police have charged him with assault since he didn't manage to penetrate the girl where he could face charges of defilement and rape," he said.
He cautioned the public against familiarizing prisoners, saying the reason they are in prison is because of committing crimes. Baine noted that UPS will work with the relatives of the girl to ensure that she gets proper medication.