By KT Reporter
A deaf and dumb father of 12 children who has been held at Luzira prison for over a year on allegations of using his three-year-old child to beg, is appealing for justice and release as he awaits trial in the High Court.
Thirty-six-year-old Malingumu Faluku resident of Katwe Kampala was on Thursday committed to face trial before the High Court Criminal Division on charges of trafficking in children.
This was after Buganda Road Court’s Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi confirmed that investigations were complete, according to State Prosecutor Grace Amy.
The Director of Public Prosecutions alleges that Malingumu exploited his three-year-old daughter, to solicit money on the streets of Kampala.
According to the indictment signed by Jane Frances Itae on behalf of the DPP, Malingumu was first spotted on November 7th 2024 along Kampala Road, carrying the child with a placard requesting transport to take him back Soroti. The court records show that the incident was reported to SSP Carolyne Kushemererwa, who traced Malingumu to Kitgum House, where he reportedly had been begging for months. Following instructions from SP Grace Nampijja, Kampala Road Police Post arrested him at the Entebbe Road traffic lights, recovering 4,800 shillings, which are believed to be proceeds from begging.
Investigations indicate that Malingumu , who is deaf and dumb often left his other children at home, taking only the three year old to the streets. Medical examinations done on November 11th 2025 at Kampala CPS Health Centre two confirmed the ages and health status of both father and child.
The DPP evidence now states that during the hearing, he will adduce evidence including placard, the police documents among others and ask the court to convict him as charged.
Before Malingumu was committed he appeared looking miserable in court while using sign language and old papers written on information that he needs help so as to get released from prison because he couldn’t have trafficked his own children. Malingumu will now remain on remand until such unknown time when he will be called to appear before the High Court on a date to be determined by the Registrar.
Should he be found guilty after trial, Malingumu risks being sentenced to life imprisonment as the highest sentence for trafficking children.
In June 2022, KCCA passed a Children’s Protection Ordinance which makes it punishable for one to send children on the streets to beg. The same law criminalizes children loitering in public places soliciting for money, vending, or hawking and it also bans the sale of alcohol to children.
Malingumu is however not charged under KCCA ordinance but instead the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
