Ntoroko locals accuse police, UPDF of brutality

Residents of Kanara and Ntoroko landing sites in Kanara Town Council, Ntoroko District, have accused security operatives of continuous torture.

In Kanara Town, many victims are nursing wounds allegedly inflicted on them from their homes.

Ms Beatrice Kabatembuzi, a resident of Rwenyange Zone in Kanara Town Council, who was allegedly beaten by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers together with police, said she was cooking when the incident happened.

“Soldiers found me cooking from my verandah at about 8pm in my home and they started beating me without telling me the offence I had committed and now, we are confused on why we are being beaten,” Ms Kabatembuzi said.

The Kanara A Village chairperson, Mr Hamis Nsubuga, said those enforcing the directives are misinterpreting them and violating people’s rights.

The chairperson of Kanara Town Council, Mr David Kor, condemned the acts and appealed to the security high command to intervene.

The UPDF Mountain Division spokesperson, Capt Adrin Mawanda, instead accused the people of Kanara of violating the presidential directives.

“When police and UPDF soldiers were patrolling the area, the residents started throwing stones at them and as security, they had to respond by forcing them into their houses... but we shall investigate case by case if there are any officers who misused orders and be charged as individuals,” Capt Mawanda said.

On Friday, President Museveni warned all security operatives, especially the Local Defence Units (LDUs), to desist from beating people.

He referred whoever has been harassed to Lt Col Edith Nakalema, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit boss, and provided a toll free number to the public.

Uganda is currently on a lockdown of 14 days since March 30 to avoid further spread of Covid-19. By yesterday, 52 people had tested positive for coronavirus.

In Tororo
In a related development, Tororo Municipal Council authorities have also suspended the commissioning of the newly constructed Tororo Central Market due to Covid -19.

The market being constructed by government under the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme Phase II (MATIP-2) with support from African Development Bank, was scheduled for commissioning on March 30.

The Shs28 billion facility is expected to host more than 1,500 vendors.

The town clerk, Mr Paul Omoko, said: “The postponement is in line with the President’s decree of suspending all public gatherings because of contagious coronavirus pandemic.’’

The Young Jin Construction Company, a Korean construction firm undertaking the works, had written to the Tororo Municipal Council requesting for the project handover.

According to the March 10 letter, by the project director, Mr Kim Hyungsul, the handover was slated for March 30.

“In pursuant to Clause 7.1 Completion and Clause 7.1 taking over of general conditions of contract, we request the consultant to arrange for handover of Tororo Central Market. The proposed date at which the contactor can effectively handover the project is March 30,” the letter reads in part.

Work suspended
Meanwhile, Tororo Cement has suspended business for 14 days to prevent spread of Covid-19.

The Executive Director, Mr Morgan Gagrani, while handing over the cheque of Shs200 million to the district response taskforce at the weekend, said the company is unable to accommodate workers.

“...the company was not able to accommodate workers as directed by the President,” Mr Gagrani said.

Mr Gagrani said the company’s ambulance will also be on disposal to the district response taskforce committee to respond to emergencies. “This support is part of the company’s social corporate responsibility,” he said.

The Tororo Resident District Commissioner, Mr Nickson Owole, who chairs the taskforce, applauded the company for the financial support. “The extended support will play a significant role in boosting the struggle in saving people,” he said.