Gen Tumwine wants written questions for ISO, SFC bosses
Proof. One of the alleged torture victims shows a photo of him reportedly in one of the safe houses while testifying before the Human Rights Committee of Parliament yesterday. PHOTO BY DAVID LUBOWA
What you need to know:
- Meanwhile, Gen Tumwine had a bitter exchange with MPs when he accused them of “ashaming” the institution of Parliament by choosing to visit safe houses despite being told it was not possible.
The Director General of Internal Security Organisation (ISO), Col Frank Kaka Bagyenda, cannot appear before the parliamentary Committee on Human Rights without prior knowledge of the questions because he might reveal classified information, Security minister Gen Elly Tumwine has said.
Appearing before the committee chaired by Buvuma Islands MP Jennifer Nantume yesterday, the minister said Col Kaka is busy with other security related duties.
Col Kaka has been named by several witnesses who have testified before the committee about their arrest, detention and torture in safe houses in Kampala, Wakiso and Kalangala districts.
The MPs had wanted Col Kaka to appear together with the Commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC), Maj Gen James Birungi.
“It is true the letter was saying I should come with the director general of ISO and the commander of SFC. The committee is supposed to send questions for them to answer,” Gen Tumwine said.
He added: “They could not come because they are busy with security duties. But also, coming without questions they may violate Section 10 of the Security Organisations Act which prohibits officers from divulging intelligence information.”
This did not go well with Kawempe North MP Latif Ssebagala who accused the minister of doing a disservice to the two top security officials by not according them a chance to be heard by the committee.
He insisted that Col Kaka and Gen Birungi must appear before the committee so that their evidence helps in writing a complete report about safe houses.
Meanwhile, Gen Tumwine had a bitter exchange with MPs when he accused them of “ashaming” the institution of Parliament by choosing to visit safe houses despite being told it was not possible.
The committee chairperson, Ms Nantume, in reply said: “You are not in order because you even did not tell us the list of safe houses. It is okay we hit a snag but we are doing our work. We did all what we did basing on what you said here and we could not have gone on our own”.
Victims testify
Before the minister appeared before the committee, the MPs first received testimonies of six alleged torture victims, who were released from safe houses where they had been locked up following their arrest.
Those who testified and reported loss of property including money during their arrest were: Bashir Mukungu, Alex Odwe, Moses Magoba, Abdu Mulindwa, Musa Nsereko and Deo Ssegawa.
These victims who were arrested between May 2018 and April, narrated how they were chained, tortured and forced to confess participating in criminal activities while in detention at Kyengera, Nalukolongo and Lwamaiba in Kalangala District.
