WAKISO, UGANDA: Police in Wakiso District have arrested a 39-year-old boda boda rider after a video widely shared on social media allegedly showed him defiling an 8-year-old girl in Mabombwe Village.

The suspect has been identified as Ssebagala Moses, a boda boda operator and resident of Mabombwe Village, Mabombwe Parish, Mende Sub-County. He is being held at Wakiso Police Station in connection with aggravated defilement, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of death upon conviction under Ugandan law.

According to preliminary police findings, the incident occurred on Wednesday, April 16, 2026. The victim, an 8-year-old girl, was outside her home with her younger sister when the suspect allegedly approached the children. 

Police say Ssebagala gave the minors a mobile phone to watch cartoons as a way to gain their trust. He then reportedly placed the 8-year-old on his lap, where the alleged defilement occurred. The act was captured on video by an unidentified person and later circulated on multiple social media platforms, prompting public outcry and swift police action.

Officers tracked and arrested Ssebagala on April 17, 2026, less than 24 hours after the video began circulating. The suspect was identified by residents who recognized him from the footage. He was found at his home in Mabombwe and taken into custody without incident.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala confirmed the arrest and condemned the act. _“We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse. The suspect was arrested following a video that came to our attention. We urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant and closely supervise their children at all times,”_ Kawala said in a statement on Friday.

Ssebagala is currently detained as police record statements from witnesses, the victim’s family, and the person who recorded the video. The 8-year-old victim has been taken for medical examination, and police say a case file is being prepared for the State Attorney. The suspect will be arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wakiso to face charges of aggravated defilement once investigations are complete.

Authorities have cautioned the public against sharing the video further to protect the dignity and privacy of the minor involved. _“Circulating such material re-victimizes the child. We ask the public to delete it and allow the law to take its course,”_ Kawala added. Police also appealed to anyone with additional information about the case to report to Wakiso Police Station.

The Uganda Police Force reiterated its commitment to investigating sexual offences against children and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.