Ivan Birungi, the convicted defiler
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Mukono Chief Magistrate’s Court has sentenced visually impaired social media personality Ivan Birungi to 44 years in prison for the sexual assault and abuse of a 15-year-old girl, in a judgment that underscores Uganda’s uncompromising stance against crimes involving minors.
Chief Magistrate Paul Matyama delivered the stiff sentence after Birungi pleaded guilty to charges of assault and defilement. In passing the sentence, the court emphasized the gravity of the offense, the vulnerability of the victim, and the calculated manner in which the crime was committed.
“The court cannot show leniency to those who violate the rights of children,” Matyama said, stressing that the punishment must reflect society’s condemnation of such acts and serve as a deterrent to others.
Court proceedings revealed that Birungi, a 44-year-old blind man who relied on begging in the streets of Kampala and Mukono for survival, exploited both his disability and public sympathy to lure the teenager from her village. He reportedly approached the girl’s parents, claiming he needed assistance with household chores and daily activities because of his blindness. Trusting his explanation, the parents allowed their daughter to go and live with him as a domestic helper.
However, once the girl was in his custody, Birungi subjected her to repeated sexual assaults. According to Mukono Senior Resident State Attorney Josephine Nanyonga, the abuse began almost immediately. On February 3, 2026, Birungi took the girl to a lodge in Kampala, where he forced her into sexual acts throughout the night. He threatened to send her away if she disclosed the ordeal.
When the girl begged to return home the next morning due to severe pain, Birungi refused. Instead, he moved her to Mukono, rented another lodge, and continued the abuse. During the day, the girl guided him as he begged on the streets, and at night, the assaults resumed. To avoid suspicion, Birungi told lodge attendants that the girl was his daughter, a claim that went unquestioned due to his disability.
The ordeal ended when the girl managed to escape and confide in a lodge attendant, Mary Nalumusi. A concerned customer overheard their conversation, raised alarm, and contacted the police, leading to Birungi’s arrest.
In court, Birungi, represented by lawyer Lydia Nanyombi, pleaded guilty. During mitigation, he knelt before the court, expressing remorse and pleading for mercy. He cited his disability, dependence on others for basic needs, and claimed it was his first offense. However, the court ruled that these factors could not outweigh the seriousness of the crime, the prolonged nature of the abuse, and the lasting trauma inflicted on the child.
About the Author
