On Thursday, the Prosecution entered into plea bargains with Rev. Nsimiyemana John and two others indicted with 14 counts of Aggravated Trafficking in Children and Conspiracy to commit a felony.
Bishop Nkurunziza Fiarce, Rev. Nsimiyemana John, Ndora Charles, and Byukusenge Valens of Tukyuuke International Ministries in Nansana Kabumbi, Wakiso District were indicted with the above charges by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
It was the Prosecution’s case that the four conspired and deceived the parents and guardians of various children from different parts of western Uganda, to give them their children for free education and later took the children to a home in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District and kept them there for a while without a license to run a children’s home.
The children were not attending school during the time they spent in Nansana but the accused persons were instead using their pictures to solicit for funds abroad.
After receiving intelligence about the scheme, the Police raided the home and rescued the children on 19th November 2019 and also arrested all suspects involved.
On Thursday, Rev. Nsimiyemana John, Ndora Charles and Byukusenge Valens entered plea bargain agreements with the State and were convicted. They were sentenced by Justice Richard Wejuli Wabwire to 5 years’ imprisonment in respect of each count of Aggravated Trafficking in Children, and 2 years’ imprisonment in respect of Conspiracy to commit a felony, as agreed. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Bishop Nkurunziza had earlier entered a plea bargain agreement with the Prosecution where he was accordingly sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment.
This case was prosecuted by Jacquelyn Okui, Senior State Attorney in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
