Portuguese national Carlos Alberto De Almedia E Costa has been further remanded to Luzira prison by the High Court's International Crimes Division for failing to fulfill his promise of paying UGX 30 million to a 16-year-old victim he sexually exploited, as per a plea agreement with the DPP.

The Director of Public Prosecutions alleges that Carlos met the victim’s mother, Ms. Joseline Twongirwe, who was selling tea by the roadside in Najjera in 2020.

It is alleged that their friendship led Carlos to visit the small wooden house where Ms. Twongirwe and her family resided. He proposed they move into a bigger house with him, to which they agreed. Carlos then rented a three-bedroom house where he allegedly began sharing his room with Ms. Twongirwe’s 16-year-old daughter.

Court records state that Carlos invited the victim to his room on several occasions and engaged in sexual acts with her. He purportedly suggested marrying her but was advised to wait until she reached the age of 18. When her parents refused due to her age, Carlos reportedly evicted them from the house.

The prosecution contends that Carlos exploited the 16-year-old victim, while Carlos’ lawyers argued that it was a voluntary decision for the victim’s family to move into his house, hence  no coercion.