national 21 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Gulu Landlord, 75, Denies Defiling Teenage Tenant, Faces Court
A 75-year-old landlord in Gulu has pleaded not guilty to aggravated defilement charges after allegedly forcing his 16-year-old tenant into a sexual relationship to avoid eviction. The court heard that the alleged incidents occurred over several days in January 2026. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/gulu-landlord-75-remanded-over-defilement-of-16-year-old-tenant-5566620
A 75-year-old man, Romano Ocaka, is facing charges of aggravated defilement in the High Court in Gulu. He appeared before Senior Resident High Court Judge, Justice Phillip Odoki, on Friday and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution alleges that Ocaka, who is also a landlord, defiled a 16-year-old girl, who was a tenant in his property, on five separate occasions in January 2026. The alleged sexual assaults took place in Layibi Central Cell, Bar-Dege-Layibi Division, Gulu City.
According to the victim’s testimony, Ocaka initiated the abuse by threatening to evict her family, who were reportedly in arrears for four months of rent amounting to Shs 30,000 per month. She stated that he coerced her into the sexual relationship under the guise of sparing her family from homelessness.
The court found that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Ocaka. His trial has been adjourned to August 24, 2026, for the defense to present its case. The case highlights the severe exploitation faced by vulnerable families struggling with economic hardship, where issues like unpaid rent can be leveraged for coercive sexual acts.
This incident is indicative of broader issues across Uganda, particularly in urban centers and northern regions, where poverty is frequently cited as a significant factor contributing to sexual violence and exploitation targeting young girls. Child protection advocates emphasize that economic vulnerability can force individuals into dangerous situations to secure basic needs like shelter.