Police arrest 8-year-old girl over ‘lesbianism’
(Larry W. Smith/Getty Images)
The girl could be sent to prison if found guilty.
Police in Uganda have taken a young girl into custody after she became “involved in romantic relationships” with her female classmates.
Catherine Wobuyaga, the officer in charge of Child Family Protection Unit in Jinja, said the child told police that she had been “involved” with other children.
She told police that the incidents have been taking place in school toilets and other isolated places near her home, resulting in the child’s detention, reports All Africa.
Ms Wobuyaga said the girl – whose name cannot be disclosed because of her age – was reported to police by a “concerned” neighbour who allegedly saw her repeatedly “luring” her friends to a nearby farm where she reportedly “teaches them how to romantically get involved.”
Authorities allege that the girls would demonstrate to various sexual acts in front of each other.
Police say they are investigating claims that someone could have trained the girl and instructed her to pass on the knowledge to the other girls.
Ms Wobuyaga said parents should watch out for adults who coerce underage children into “illicit relationships”.
Earlier this year, homophobic Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni remained in office for a fifth term, as he won a general election amid accusations of corruption.
President Museveni signed the draconian Anti-Homosexuality Bill in February 2014.
The law called for repeat offenders to be sentenced to 14 years in prison and to make it a criminal offence not to report someone for being gay.
However, the country’s Constitutional Court later struck down the bill, finding that the speaker of parliament acted illegally by moving ahead with a vote on the law despite at least three lawmakers objecting to a lack of quorum.
Despite this, it still remains illegal to be gay in Uganda.
Last month, LGBT+ activists in Uganda vowed to stand taller despite a brutal police raid on a Pride event.
Dozens of activists were released without charge after a Ugandan police raid on a Pride event – leaving one activist fighting for their life.
