Kampala – In a landmark ruling, the High Court sentenced 38‑year‑old James K. Mukasa to 40 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of defiling his 12‑year‑old daughter. The judge, Justice Grace Nanyanzi, described the crime as “a grave breach of trust and a heinous violation of a child’s rights.”
Prosecutors presented DNA evidence, medical reports, and testimony from the victim’s mother, who had initially been unaware of the abuse. The court also ordered Mukasa to pay restitution to the family and to undergo mandatory psychological treatment while incarcerated.
Human rights groups praised the severity of the sentence, calling it a “strong deterrent” against child sexual abuse in Uganda. The Ministry of Justice announced plans to review existing child protection laws to ensure faster reporting and prosecution of similar cases.