82 minors, with youngest being 10 years old, arrested partying, drinking alcohol at friend’s house

Eighty two (82) children of school-going age were on Friday night (July 3) busted partying and drinking alcohol at their friend’s house in Burumba A Estate, Matayos Constituency in Busia County.

Matayos Deputy County Commissioner, Joseph Onyango, told K24 Digital that the 82 are aged between 10 years old and 20 years old.

“The owner of the house they were found in, is locked down in Uganda since the outbreak of coronavirus. His teenage children were the ones who hosted the party,” said Onyango, revealing that 63 of the 82 teenagers were male, whereas 19 were female.

Neighbours, who heard loud music and noises emanating from the party venue, alerted police, who arrived at the scene and arrested the 82.

It is said that 100 other children escaped to different destinations.

“The arrested children, who spent the night at Busia Police Station, will be placed under mandatory quarantine,” said Onyango.

This comes a day after 38 teenagers from Kisii County, who were allegedly found engaging in sex orgies and binge-drinking on June 20, completed their 14-day mandatory quarantine.

The parents of the 38 teens from Kemboa Village in Ogembo were on Thursday, July 2 instructed to part with Ksh28, 000 each to secure their children’s release from quarantine.

Kisii County Medical Social Work lead, Evans Getuma, on Thursday sent SMSs to parents of the 38 children, asking them to pay Ksh28, 000 so that they can be reunited with their loved ones.

“Dear parent/guardian, this is to inform you that your daughter/son has completed the 14-day mandatory quarantine, and will be discharged upon payment of Ksh28, 000. Thanks,” read the SMS authored by Getuma.

The 38 teens had been quarantined at the Kisii High School for defying COVID-19 safety directives.

Thirty four (34) of the 38 teenagers were male, whereas four were female. They were aged between 14 years old and 20 years old, police said.