Sheikh Bahame Hassan, who had been in detention for several days, has been ordered by the Nyamata Primary Court to be released on provisional bail and to continue facing trial while free.
The court’s decision was announced during the reading of the ruling on his provisional detention and release, which took place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
The hearing was held behind closed doors, during which he was accused of two offenses: soliciting or engaging in sexual acts and abuse of authority for personal gain.
The Prosecution stated that on September 19, 2022, the National Police received information alleging that Sheikh Bahame Hassan, the head of the Gitagata Rehabilitation Center, was sexually abusing girls undergoing rehabilitation by promising them benefits.
It was alleged that he promised them start-up capital upon leaving the center and early release, while those who refused were reportedly threatened with being reported to the police and given additional punishment.
The Prosecution requested that he be remanded in provisional detention for 30 days while investigations were ongoing. He denied the allegations, stating that he had never had sexual relations with any girl, and asked the court to rule in his favor.
The court ruled that there were no strong grounds to suspect him of the alleged offenses and ordered his immediate release on provisional bail after the ruling was read.
Sheikh Bahame Hassan, the Coordinator of the Gitagata Rehabilitation Center, was arrested on December 16, 2025.
