London, May 7, 2020 (AltAfrica)-A German-born Belgian national facing child sex abuse and trafficking allegations has died in prison in Uganda’s capital, Kampala

73-year-old Bernhard Glaser, who was suffering from skin cancer, had been granted bail and bid to travel to Belgium for treatment by Uganda’s High Court on Wednesday.

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The suspected German child molester was carried into court on a stretcher for the hearing

Suspected German child molester granted bail due to ill health. The 73-year-old was released to enable him to travel to Belgium for #cancer treatment. He's facing charges incl. #childtrafficking, #defilement, #sextourism https://t.co/suUB7AVqrf #Uganda children pic.twitter.com/wRZhGxo8m9

— The Observer (@observerug) May 6, 2020

Glaser was the director of Ssese Humanitarian Services, a community-based organisation located at Mwena landing site in Kalangala district

The humanitarian initiative was allegedly set up to provide rehabilitation services to infected, affected, abused and violated girls in Kalangala district. The centre known among locals as Bery’s place also provided psychosocial care to victims of sexual-related offences.

At the place, which was formerly known as Budding Flowers, Glaser hosted only female children who received training in reflexology and sexual reproductive health. But later, he was accused of sexually harassing the less privileged children under his care, leading to his arrest and subsequent trial. He faced eight charges of aggravated defilement and 19 counts of aggravated child trafficking

But his lawyer says he had to remain in detention as he tried to raise more than $7,500 (£6,000) for the bail.

Asia Namusoke, a social worker who has supported some of the girls accusing Mr Glaser of sexual abuse, said his death was very unfortunate as it would not give them “an opportunity to access justice”.

Mr Glaser was remanded in custody in February last year to await trial for several counts of aggravated child sex abuse, human trafficking and indecent assault.

The crimes are alleged to have been committed at a children’s home he set up with his wife on Kalangala Island in Lake Victoria.

Mr Glaser had previously been arrested in 2013 for similar crimes committed against two minors, but the case was dismissed for lack of evidence