What the report says about our record

The government or its agents allegedly committed politically motivated killings.For example, on January 17, security agents in Bukedea District reportedly tortured to death David Okwi, a member of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), for allegedly possessing a gun. On February 4, the FDC petitioned the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) to investigate Okwi’s death.

On February 28, at Kamengo prison in Mpigi District, a prison officer allegedly beat inmate Emmanuel Tindimwebwa with a metal bar. Tindimwebwa subsequently died from his injuries.

On March 6, UPDF soldiers allegedly shot and killed Joseph Denaya and Cosmas Data during an operation to arrest smugglers in Koboko District, West Nile Region. The soldiers were arrested.

On September 10 and 11, violent riots erupted in Kampala after security forces prevented the king of Buganda from travelling to Kayunga District, which is traditionally part of the Buganda Kingdom.

Police, military, and paramilitary units used tear gas and live bullets to disperse protesters, resulting in 26 deaths and numerous injuries.
There were developments in some 2008, 2007, and 2006 security force killings.
For example, during the year the state attorney exonerated and released SPC Simon Kirabira, arrested for the January 2008 killing of Jovina Busulwa and Patrick Maale Sentumbwe. SPC Peter Serukwaya, also charged in the killings, remained a fugitive at year’s end.

On September 17, the High Court in Arua District sentenced police constable Rashide Nyakuni to 10 years’ imprisonment for the December 2008 killing of Stephen Enzabugo. The court acquitted and released police commander Michael Benedict Ojingo, also charged in the case.

Murder, manslaughter
On March 16, a court in Arua District sentenced SPC Yasin Alayi to three years’ imprisonment for manslaughter in the 2007 killing of Gerald Uroma.
On May 1, the Lira District High Court sentenced to death former Amuka militia members Alfred Odema and Simon Ojoga for the 2006 killings of 10 persons in the Ogwete camp for internally displaced persons.

There were no developments in the following 2007 cases involving security force killings: the trial of Peter Ahimbisibwe, who was charged with the April killing of presidential office official Nelson Ssendegeya; the May death of Faizal Kirunda from injuries inflicted by authorities at the Malukhu Prison in eastern Uganda; the October killing of suspect Ronald Bukyayanga by three Nabbingo SPCs; the October killing of Rogers Mugenyi by a Kampala traffic police officer; and the October rape and killing of a woman by UPDF soldier Ochen Obonyo.

Members of Local Defence Units (LDUs) were responsible for killings during the year. On January 17, in Kabarole District, LDU member Moses Kabagambe allegedly killed civilian Lauren Arinaitwe during a night patrol in Rwimi Sub-county. Kabagambe is on trial.
LDU members were punished for 2008 killings.

Disappearances, abductions
For example, on August 17, members of the opposition FDC Youth League told police that FDC member Ismail Wagaba was abducted on his way to attend a press conference at the FDC’s headquarters in Kampala. Wagaba’s whereabouts remained unknown until he reappeared in December. FDC officials reported that they still did not know the whereabouts of FDC party member Robert Mugyenyi, who disappeared in 2006.

In its April 8 “Open Secret” report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) noted that at least six individuals believed to have been detained in mid-2008 were last seen in Kololo detention facility and have not been seen since.
An investigation into the disappearance and presumed death of Lutaya Saidi, a street vendor allegedly arrested by the Joint Anti-terrorism Task Force (JATT) in 2007, was ongoing.

Torture, cruelty
The Constitution and law prohibit such practices; however, there were credible reports that security forces tortured and beat suspects, some of whom died as a result. Torture generally occurred in unregistered detention facilities and was intended to force confessions.

From January to June, the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims registered 116 allegations of torture against the Police, 38 against the UPDF, three against the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), and 11 against the Violent Crime Crack Unit or Rapid Response Unit (RRU).

In its 2008 annual report, the UHRC reported registering 1,060 human rights complaints against 873 individuals, including 237 UPDF members, 148 police officers, and 300 private citizens. Of the 1,060 complaints, 30 percent involved allegations of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment and punishment.

Torture victims included political activists and detainees. For example, Francis Atugonza, the mayor of Hoima and the FDC’s trade and industry secretary, filed charges during the year against the CMI for alleged illegal detention and torture in a CMI “safe house” after he was arrested in April.