Two Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) enforcement officers have been remanded to Luzira Prison over allegations involving the rape of a first-year university student and subsequent cyber harassment.
Ismail Osena, 36, a resident of Salaama Road in Makindye Division, and Julius Mukisa, 21, both attached to KCCA enforcement, appeared before Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate Jalia Basajjabalaba on Tuesday.
Osena is charged with rape under sections 110 and 111 of the Penal Code Act, while Mukisa faces a charge of cyber harassment under Section 25(1) and (2)(a) of the Computer Misuse Act.
The prosecution alleges that the incident began on September 22, 2026, after the student was stopped by KCCA enforcement officers in Kampala.
Osena did not take plea because rape is a capital offence triable only by the High Court.
“This offence is capital in nature and triable only by the High Court. This court will not take a plea,” Magistrate Basajjabalaba told Osena.
Mukisa, whose charge falls within the jurisdiction of the magistrates’ court, denied the allegation.
“I deny the charge,” Mukisa told court.
State prosecutor Diane Hope Masawi asked court to remand the two suspects, saying investigations were still ongoing.
“Investigations into this matter are still ongoing. The state prays that both accused persons be remanded,” Masawi said.
The magistrate subsequently ordered that the two men be remanded to Luzira Prison until October 19, when the case will return for mention.
Prosecution account
According to the prosecution, the student was initially stopped by KCCA enforcement officers after she was allegedly found walking on grass in an area where such activity was prohibited.
The officers allegedly demanded Shs100,000 from her. When she could not raise the money, the prosecution alleges that she was ordered to fetch 50 jerrycans of water.
Prosecutors told court that instead of taking the student to KCCA detention offices, Osena allegedly took her to ABC2 New View Guest House in Kampala.
“Instead of taking her to the detention offices, the accused diverted her to a guest house,” Masawi told court.
The prosecution alleges that Osena had sexual intercourse with the student without her consent while at the guest house.
It further alleges that photographs of the student were taken using a mobile phone.
The student’s identity has been withheld. She was not present in court during Tuesday’s proceedings, and no statement from her was presented directly during the hearing.
Alleged WhatsApp messages
The prosecution separately alleges that Mukisa later contacted the student through WhatsApp.
According to the state, between September 23 and 27, 2026, Mukisa allegedly used a telephone number listed on the charge sheet to send the woman messages, requests and proposals described by prosecutors as obscene and indecent.
Mukisa denied the cyber harassment charge, meaning the prosecution will have to prove the allegations through evidence if the case proceeds to trial.
Tuesday’s proceedings were limited to the presentation of the charges, the prosecution’s request for further custody and the remand order. No defence lawyer addressed court on behalf of either accused, and no bail application was made.
Because Osena faces a capital charge, Buganda Road Court cannot try the rape case. The matter will proceed through the appropriate High Court process.
Mukisa’s cyber harassment case remains within the jurisdiction of the magistrates’ court.
The court was not told whether KCCA had taken any administrative action against the two officers, including whether they had been suspended or removed from enforcement duties.
The two suspects are expected back before Buganda Road Court on October 19 for mention.
The allegations presented in court have not been tested at trial. Both men denied the charges against them and remain presumed innocent unless convicted by a competent court.
