Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga has asked President Museveni to sanction the arrest of soldiers that tortured civilians and journalists during the Bobi Wine protests (FILE PHOTO)
PARLIAMENT – Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has asked President Museveni to order the arrest and prosecution of security officers who took part in the torture of MPs and other civilians following the chaos ahead of the Arua Municipality by-election on August 13.
In a strongly worded letter dated 27th August, Ms Kadaga revealed that whereas there was clear evidence that the accused and journalists were tortured during the protests, there is no sign that security officers from SFC, Military Police and Ugandan Police Force who were involved in the violent actions have been punished.
“I am constrained to address you following the sad events since August 13th when several MPs namely Hon Kassiano Wadri, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, Hon. Francis Zaake, Hon. Gerald Karuhanga and Hon. Michael Mabiike Ex. MP Makindye together with a number of civilians and journalists were beaten, assaulted, tortured and thereafter incarcerated in Military custody as well as other places of custody- a civilian was also shot dead,’’ Kadaga’s two-page letter reads in part.
It adds: “Hon. Zaake remains gravely ill while Hon. Kyagulanyi has visible signs of torture and beatings. ‘ Your Excellency, I am concerned that no effect has been made to arrest the security officers from the SFC, Military Police and Ugandan Police Force who were involved in the violent actions against unarmed civilians,” the latter adds.
Uganda security officers clobber a Reuters photojournalist, James Akena covering the Bobi Wine protests August 20 (PML Daily PHOTO)
The letter is also copied to the Vice President, Prime Minister and Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
“This is, therefore, to demand that the officers concerned be apprehended at the earliest opportunity and presented in court. Unless this is done, it will be very difficult to conduct government business in Parliament. The Uganda parliament will not condone or acquiesce in acts of torture. I, however, hasten to add that Parliament equally does not condone acts of lawlessness by any leader or members of the public,’’ she added.
Kadaga said the security officers’ conduct is in breach of the Prevention and Prohibition of the Torture Act 2012 which is in force in Uganda.
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