Iam going to close Nalufenya, says IGP Ochola

IGP Okoth-Ochola. Photo by Alex Esagala

PARLIAMENT- The Inspector General of Police, Mr Martins Okoth-Ochola has confirmed that the dreaded Nalufenya police facility will soon be closed.

Mr Ochola on Thursday told members of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs that the order to close the detention centre is “being drafted” by the Director of Legal Services of the force.

“I am going to close it; the Director Legal Services is drafting the order to close it [and] anytime from now, I will sign it,” he said.

The police chief was responding to concerns raised by MPs including Butambala County MP, Mr Muwanga Kivumbi and Budaka County MP, Mr Kezekia Mbogo on the state of Nalufenya Detention Centre.

A police armoured car at the entrance of Nalufenya Detention Centre. Mr Okoth-Ochola intends to close it

Last month, the police dismissed reports that the facility, famous for torture had been closed.
Mr Patrick Onyango, the deputy police spokesperson said that there was no order from the IGP to close it.

Last year, the detention centre was in the eye of the storm after ghastly images of festering wounds on suspects accused of participating in high-profile assassinations and alleged terrorism emerged with testimonies pointing to kicking, slapping by police officers as the cause.

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Torture: Legislators tell govt to close Nalufenya

Two blunt reports by Parliament’s HRCommittee have further lifted the lid on the harrowing tales of torture meted out on suspects at the Nalufenya high security detention facility