Policeman, LC man remanded battering pregnant woman
The suspects are Francis Mpande, a police officer attached to Kibumbiro Police Post, and Junior Asiimwe, a local council secretary for defence
Two people have been remanded to Luzira Prison for allegedly torturing a pregnant woman while enforcing the presidential directive on night curfew over the Covid-19 pandemic.
The suspects are Francis Mpande, a police officer attached to Kibumbiro Police Post, and Junior Asiimwe, a local council secretary for defence.
They appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court over aggravated torture yesterday.
They denied the charges and the Chief Magistrate, Ms Miriam Akello, remanded them to Luzira prison until April 27.
The State Attorney, Mr Ivan Kyazze, told court that investigations into the case were still ongoing.
The suspects were arrested on Saturday following accusations of using excessive force on a pregnant woman, Ms Mercy Nakate, whom they accused of defying the President’s orders against gathering in bars and public spaces.
Victim: Mercy Nakate
Directive
The duo was arrested on President Museveni’s orders upon receiving reports of the alleged beating and torture.
The President directed the Head of State House Anti-corruption Unit, Lt Col Edith Nakalema, to investigate the matter and dispatched a team to arrest the suspects.
Ms Nakate aged 23, a resident of Busega, Kibumbiro Village in Busega in Rubaga Division was reportedly beaten on March 27 by a group of policemen and local defence personnel who were patrolling the area.
It is alleged that on the fateful day, Ms Nakate had moved out of her house to buy herbs when it rained, forcing her to take shelter in a makeshift socialisation facility before the accused persons rounded her up.
