The former Kyambogo University Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of finance and administration, Dr Lawrence Eron, has been charged and remanded to Luzira Prison for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old visually impaired student.

Eron, 56, has been missing since December last year after the Director of Public Prosecution, Jane Frances Abodo, sanctioned charges of aggravated defilement against him.

He was arrested on Thursday in an operation carried out by the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) detectives, bringing an end to his six-month search.

Eron arrived at Nakawa Court on Friday at about 2:30PM aboard a Police dark blue van and he was straight away led to the court-holding cell.

When the university don was being led to the courtroom by Police officers, he covered his face with an orange cap, inscribed with the word `mulcuru’ to avoid being captured by the prying eyes of the clicking cameras.

Subsequently, Chief Magistrate Christine Nantege charged Eron with aggravated defilement, contrary to section 129 (3), 4 (b), (c) and (d) of the Penal Code Act.

Upon conviction, the penalty is death.

The magistrate read out the charge to the accused, but he was not allowed to take plea, saying the court has no jurisdiction to hear the case.

The accused was represented by his lawyer, Alfred Okello. “Plea not taken for lack of jurisdiction.

You are hereby remanded to Luzira Prison until July 17,” the magistrate ordered. The state attorney from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Eunice Baine, informed the court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing.

THE CRIME

The prosecution alleges that the accused, on October 12, last year, between Kyambogo University and Namugongo Nsawo village, in Wakiso district, performed a sexual act with a 16-year-old visually impaired student when he is HIV positive and also a person in authority over her.

Facts gathered indicate that the suspect travelled as a caretaker with four students, including the 16-year-old victim to Nairobi-Kenya for a conference and returned on October 12, last year.

Eron is said to have picked his car, which he had left at the airport and gave a lift to the students.

He reportedly first dropped two students from Gulu University at Namayiba Taxi Park and, reportedly, went on to drop the third student at North Hall.

He remained with the victim, who is visually impaired.

The girl can only see during the day, while using spectacles, but cannot see at night, Police said.

Police explained that the suspect drove with the victim to Namugongo in Nsawo village, Kira municipality, from around 10:20pm.

“It was established that along the way, the victim requested water, which was bought at a supermarket on Ndagire Road, in Naalya.

The victim fell unconscious after drinking it.

Upon regaining consciousness, she felt pain around her private parts and realised that she had been sexually assaulted in the car,” former Police spokesperson Fred Enanga added.

According to Police investigations, the suspect allegedly drugged the victim and reportedly took her from the front to the back seat, from where he took advantage of her.

 Sources noted that the suspect tried to use his authority and position to intimidate the girl, her school and her family to frustrate the case.

This forced the girl’s school administration to appeal to the First Lady, Mrs Janet Museveni, who is also the Minister of Education and Sports.

The First Lady later contacted CID headquarters to take up the matter.

The CID boss, Tom Magambo, confirmed that they were tasked with supporting the territorial Police of Katosi to expeditiously complete the investigations.

The Kyambogo University Council has since replaced Eron as the deputy Vice Chancellor, with associate professor Justus Kwetegyeka.