In a case that has stirred public outrage across Kampala, debt collector and self-styled attorney Emmanuel Barya alias Dr. Emma, is facing allegations of child exploitation, detailed in a whistleblower dossier that has circulated widely on social media.
The report accuses Dr Emma of sexual abuse and neglect of a teenage girl under his guardianship, whom he is alleged to have isolated in his office and subjected to abuse since she was 13.
Emma, however, denies the accusations, asserting that the dossier is a product of a blackmail scheme orchestrated to tarnish his reputation.
The whistleblower’s document describes Barya, a father of three daughters, as a man who holds himself to be a community pillar, providing quality education and care for his own children while allegedly mistreating a young girl left in his custody by relatives.
According to the dossier, the victim, now 18 and a student at Kitante Hill School, was placed under Dr Emma’s guardianship when her parents sent her to Kampala from Bushenyi to pursue better educational opportunities.
Instead of providing a safe environment, the dossier alleges, Emma withdrew her from a boarding school, moved her into his office in Ntinda, and allegedly subjected her to prolonged sexual abuse, coercing her to keep the abuse a secret under the guise of familial affection.
The report details an alleged pattern of emotional manipulation and dependency-building over the years.
According to the dossier, Emma isolated the young girl from other family members, making her increasingly reliant on him for financial and emotional support.
Psychological experts note that this type of manipulation can often lead to what is commonly called Stockholm Syndrome, a psychological response in which the abused individual develops loyalty or affection for their abuser. The report suggests that Barya used this bond to silence his victim and maintain control.
Upon contacting Emma for his version of events, TrumpetNews learned that he is aware of the dossier and its contents. He claims to know the identity of the individual behind the report but refrained from disclosing their name, citing concerns about interfering with ongoing investigations.
“I know who is behind this dossier. But revealing their identity now would jeopardize ongoing investigations,” he stated.
Emma insisted that the dossier is a fabricated attempt to blackmail him, alleging that the whistleblower and associates are orchestrating a smear campaign against him.
He also said that authorities had made several arrests connected to the blackmail scheme, although he did not provide specifics on those detained or the charges against them.
“I have instructed my lawyers to pursue this matter rigorously. This entire dossier is nothing but a scheme to extort and discredit me. I am confident the truth will come to light,” he told TrumpetNews.
Emma asserted that his legal team is working to dismantle what he described as a “web of falsehoods” meant to target his personal and professional life.
