Alebtong |Staff Sergeant Too-Dwong Alex, who is accused of extorting over shs2.7 million from a poor family under the guise of helping three female teenagers enlist in the military, has been arrested.
According to reports, on July 6, 2024, around 8:00 a.m., Staff Sergeant Too-Dwong went to the home of Abal Alfred, the father of the alleged victims.
The victims are Akullu Semi Gift, 18, Akullu Racheal, 18, and Abote Lucy, 17, all from Abunga village, Awori parish, Abako sub-county, Alebtong district.
He allegedly misled the family by claiming he could help the daughters get into the UPDF and extorted a total of shs2,700,000.
Too-Dwong valued each at shs900,000. He promised the family that he would help the victims enlist in the military, but that did not happen.
Following their rescue, the victims revealed that Too-Dwong had subjected them to sexual exploitation, including unprotected sexual acts. They also claimed that he restricted their communication with others in the barracks and threatened them with harm if they exposed his misconduct.
The girls also claimed that the soldier confiscated their mobile phones, making it difficult for them to communicate with their families in Alebtong.
Abal Alfred, 47, brought the situation to the police’s attention, and on October 13, 2024, a case of aggravated human trafficking was filed at the Alebtong Central Police Station.
North Kyoga Region Police PRO SP Jimmy Patrick Okema told the media that a case has been recorded at Alebtong under CRB 215/2024.
“Relevant statements have been obtained, and medical forms (PF3A) have been distributed to the victims for treatment.”
By press time, efforts were underway to move the suspect from the 3rd Division Headquarters to Alebtong district for further statement recording and prosecution.
SP Okema revealed that after making payments to the suspect, the parents believed their daughters had been enrolled in a UPDF training school.
“This belief persisted until last week, when the girls were rescued after a tip from a concerned citizen.”
Police have urged parents to strictly follow the legal procedures associated with recruitment into the security forces, and Okema emphasized that the practice of providing money under the guise of assistance must be discontinued.
“It is unfortunate that some parents do not take the recruitment processes for security forces seriously. Typically, recruitment advertisements are distributed, and financial contributions have never been required for enlistment,” he stated.
While some responsibility may lie with the parents, Okema added, “It is critical to recognize that an offense has occurred, and legal proceedings are currently underway.”