German national in Uganda 'hunted by police for sexually abusing girls in his care' charged with child trafficking and defilement

Bernhard Bery Glaser has been running an organisation for over 10 years where he is believed to provide shelter to child survivors of sexual violence, sex trafficking and those at risk of sex abuse

Mr Glaser was first arrested on 1 December 2013 on suspicion of sexually abusing 19 minors under his care in Kalanga but was later acquitted by the court (Getty )

A 70-year-old German national in Uganda who was the target of a police hunt has appeared before a local court facing 28 counts connected to aggravated defilement and child trafficking.

Mr Glaser had been running an organisation called Ssese Humanitarian Services out of his home in Kalanga for over 10 years, under the guise of providing shelter to child survivors of sexual violence and trafficking.

He is believed to have signed up 30 girls aged between three and 20 years old during this time.

He has, however, since been twice arrested on charges relating to sex abuse.

In the first case 1 December 2013, he was arresting on suspicion of sexually abusing 19 minors under his care in Kalanga, but was later acquitted by the court.

In February, the authorities raided Mr Glaser’s home, but he was out at the time. His wife Ingrid Hehns was arrested for questioning.

The authorities rescued at least 11 children and Mr Glaser was arrested later when he reported to police.

According to Ugandan English language newspaper New Vision, the Masaka Chief Magistrate read the charges and immediately committing Mr Glaser to the High Court for trial on Tuesday.

This followed the prosecution telling the court enquiries into the case were complete.

Anita Nyanjong, of Equality Now, a non-government organisation which aims to promote the rights of women and girls, said: “We call on the Ugandan government to protect the girls in this case, some of whom are likely to testify as victims and witnesses.

"Survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking have experienced serious trauma and need specialist psychosocial support, including assistance with longer-term physical, legal, and socio-economic security.”

“The onus is on the Ugandan government to ensure that girls are protected from all forms of violence in any space they are in. All shelters that purport to protect children need to be subjected to regular checks on security by government authorities, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the safeguarding of every girl and boy.”

Ms Nyanjong, a programme officer in the group's End Sex Trafficking programme, noted the sexual exploitation of vulnerable children by foreign nationals is not a problem that is unique to Uganda. She said sex tourism is a global issue which necessitates an international response that involves governments cooperating across borders.

“In this case, we need to look beyond Uganda to see how Germany will deal with a German citizen travelling abroad to capitalise on weaknesses in local child protection so that he could systematically exploit vulnerable girls,” she said.

She said they urged Uganda to work with INTERPOL and authorities in Germany to support investigations into not just Mr Glaser, but also "the other men who travelled to sexual abuse these girls".

Sex tourists need to be brought to justice so it sends a clear message to others that this type of behaviour is never acceptable and will be punished, she added.