he Karagwe, District Commissioner, Kagera Region, in Northwest Tanzania, Julius Laizer, expressed shock upon discovering that an incident of sexual abuse involving a ten-year-old girl had not been promptly reported to his office. He questioned the reasons behind the delay, considering the gravity of the situation.
The sexual abuse incident, perpetrated by a local businessman in Kayanga township, occurred on January 2, 2024, but was only reported to the District Commissioner’s office on January 9. Addressing the Full Council on January 25, 2024, during the second quarter of the 2023/24 fiscal year, Laizer emphasized improved communication and urged councilors to combat violence against children actively.
Laizer pointed out that delayed disclosure and reporting are often linked to the dynamics of the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator. He expressed sadness over the fact that the accused, Rutayuga Yepa (42), a resident of Bomani Street in Kayanga and a purportedly successful businessman, was being praised despite his alleged involvement in the heinous act.
The District Commissioner was visibly disturbed by the incident involving Yepa, who was accused of raping a Standard Four schoolgirl after luring her into his Peugeot car (registration number T 639 BKP) on the pretext of taking her home.
According to Kagera Police Commander ASP Blasius Chatanda, speaking to the press on January 15, 2024, Yepa was in custody and set to appear in court the same day. The case file had already been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The public and the District Commissioner were incensed when it was revealed that the police had granted permission to the suspect to travel abroad, citing the reason for taking his child to school. Laizer questioned the decision, especially since the suspect was expected to report back to the police station on Friday. He emphasized that, although he wasn’t contesting the bail, the more prudent approach would have been confiscating the suspect’s passport. Laizer vowed that Yepa would be pursued and brought to justice wherever he might be.
To address the matter, Laizer assured the Council and the residents that the government would establish an investigative team. He pledged that anyone implicated in facilitating the suspect’s travel would be held accountable for their actions.
This ongoing saga highlights the persistent concerns voiced by the wananchi, who have long complained about alleged collusion between some police officers and suspects or their families to suppress accusations and complaints related to child abuse. It is noted that the perpetrators of sexual abuse are sometimes individuals in trusted positions within society, such as churchgoers, leaders, teachers, and affluent businessmen, who exploit their power and financial influence to infringe upon children’s rights.
Critics argue that Police Gender and Children’s Desks, designed to provide a secure and discreet space for survivors to report violence, often operate within the same premises as the main police office, compromising flexibility, transparency, and confidentiality in the reporting process of sexual abuse.
Experts emphasize that children subjected to abuse and neglect may suffer immediate physical injuries and endure long-term emotional and psychological problems, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress. In the extended term, these children face increased risks of experiencing further violence victimization, engaging in substance abuse, contracting sexually transmitted infections, facing delayed brain development, achieving lower educational attainment, and having limited employment opportunities.
Instances where victims have reported abuse but were not believed or where complaints did not reach the police are not uncommon. The accusations and counter-accusations between the public and Police Gender and Children’s Desks regarding accountability contribute to a challenging situation where cooperation among all stakeholders is crucial for the well-being of children.
In Karagwe District, there were 45 reported cases of rape between 2023 and January 2024, according to Okusiima Kaihura, the Social Welfare Officer. However, the actual number is presumed to be higher due to underreporting. District Commissioner Laizer disclosed 106 cases of child violence, including two early pregnancies in primary schools and 13 in secondary schools.
Councillors Anord Rwesheleka and Jane Bilabo urged the government to take decisive measures against those violating children’s rights to prevent public outcry. They highlighted the link between sexual violence against children and superstitious myths, often perpetuated by fortune tellers promising wealth.
The issue of child rape is not confined to the Karagwe district but extends to the entire Kagera region. Regional Commissioner Fatma Mwassa declared war against individuals involved in acts of rape against minors during the opening of Legal Week in Kagera on January 28, 2023. She emphasized the challenges faced by the region, including suspects destroying evidence while on bail. Mwassa pledged to use all available resources to hire the best lawyers to ensure justice, regardless of the accused individual’s status.
Kagera Social Welfare Officer Rebecca Gwambasa reported receiving 102 rape and sodomy incidents from January to September 2023, with some cases resulting in sentences. A study by Haki Elimu in 2020 found that 17.0% of public school children and 14.3% of private school children in Tanzania experienced at least one incident of sexual violence. The study recommends empowering schoolchildren individually and collectively to be active participants in their protection.
In Tanzania, the majority of reported human rights violations primarily target children, comprising 47 percent of documented cases, as revealed by the latest report from the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC).
Women follow closely at 33 percent, with the elderly and Persons with Disabilities accounting for 10 percent and 4 percent, respectively. The remaining six percent encompass other victims, including members of law enforcement agencies.
According to police statistics cited in the report, from 2017 to 2021, a staggering 70,997 incidents of violence against children were reported at police stations nationwide. This averages to 14,199 incidents annually, 1,183 monthly, and an alarming 39 incidents each day.
The LHRC’s 2022 media survey and human rights monitoring documented 350 incidents against children across Tanzania’s Mainland, with sexual violence constituting a significant portion at 81 percent. Of the victims, 25 percent were under ten years old, with boys representing the majority (78 percent) of sodomy victims.
The LHRC’s analysis identifies various perpetrators of sexual violence against children, including fathers, stepfathers, unknown adult males residing in the area, uncles, elderly men, close relatives or family friends like cousins, fellow students (especially in cases of sodomy), health workers such as doctors, and motorcycle (bodaboda) drivers.
Tanzania National Multisectoral Early Childhood Development Project (NM-ECDP) said there was very limited information on reported cases affecting young children of Early Childhood Development age from 0 to 8 years in relation to child violence, abuse and neglect.
The NM-ECDP has an action plan towards supporting and enabling the environment, systems strengthening, and creating awareness to caregivers/ communities towards the adoption of nurturing care practices with its budget.
By Mutayoba Arbogast
