KAMPALA–Court has ordered government to pay former Police spokesperson AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi murder suspects Shs80 million each over torture.
AIGP Kaweesi who also doubled as director for human resources lost his life in a hail of bullets on the March 17, 2017, a few metres from his home in Kulambiro, a Kampala surburb.
He was killed alongside his bodyguard Corporal Kenneth Erau and driver costable Godfrey Mambewa.
In the investigations that followed his death, the police arrested over 40 people some of whom were allegedly tortured
The High Court in Kampala has ordered government to compensate the 22 tortured suspects in the murder of AIGP Kaweesi with Shs80 million each.
The ruling has been made Thursday by Judge Oguli Oumo who ruled that the suspects’ rights to life and liberty were violated by government security officers.
She further awarded an interest of 20% on the costs awarded until when paid in full.
“The applicants are still suspects until proven guilty. And therefore should be treated well without torturing them,” she said.
The judge further added that she was satisfied by evidence provided for it was enough to show that prison authorities were hiding something when they refused to subject the suspects to medication.
Among the evidence provided in court included an application filed by the suspects through their lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuzi seeking court orders compelling government to take them for medical examination to verify the cause of injuries they had.
They also told that they were arrested and held in military facilities before being transferred to the much feared Nalufenya Police Station in Jinja.
AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi who was the Police spokesperson and director for human resources was brutally killed in March a few meters from his home.
Yet to be identified gunmen attacked him, firing over 70 bullets at his car consequently killing him alongside his bodyguard and driver.
Police arrested over 40 people some of whom were allegedly tortured with the notable one being the Kamwenge mayor, Geoffrey Byamukama, who was tortured to near death, sparking off public outcry.