Dumb-Deaf Father of 12 Faces Life Imprisonment for Begging

Thirty-six-year-old  Malingumu Faluku resident of Katwe  Kampala was  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. F

ollowing 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.