Police in Muhanga District are holding a 51-year-old man accused of defiling his own daughter.  

The suspect, whose name is withheld for legal reasons, is a resident of Nyaruhora Cell in Nyarusange Sector. He was by press time detained at Nyamabuye Police Station. 

The suspect has been married to his wife since 1992. The couple have five children; three boys and two girls. 

The incident occurred on Tuesday, according to Police sources. 

It is understood that the 15-year-old girl reported her father to local authorities, who subsequently alerted the Police. 

Police in the area said the girl  has been referred to hospital for medical test. 

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, Police said. 

Speaking from a Police post, the suspect hesitantly admitted to having "tried” unsuccessfully to commit the crime against his daughter, who is in her Senior One at a local Nine-Year Basic Education school.  

The suspect reportedly said he lured the girl into his room, at around 8am, and attempted to have sex with her. However, he denied committing the incest. 

"I swear I didn’t have sex with her,” the suspect, who tried not to face people as he constantly looked down during his testimony before Police, said.  

If convicted, he faces the maximum penalty (life imprisonment), according to Article 192 of the Penal Code.