Army to probe Gen. Taban Amin over torture allegations
Mar 08, 2024
"Nobody is above the law, whether it is a General who is torturing people. Certainly, nobody is allowed to torture people in this country," said Ssempija.
Vincent Ssempijja, Minister of Defense appearing before the Human rights committee on 06 March 2024. (Photos by Miriam Namutebi.)
Dedan Kimathi
Journalist @New Vision
___________________ Vincent Ssempijja, Minister of Defence and Caroline Kamusiime, Woman MP Rukiga leave after a Human Rights committee meeting on 06 March 2024.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) say they are going to probe former first son Gen. Taban Amin over matters related to torture.
This follows a viral video where people allegedly working on the orders of Amin, who is also a former Internal Security Organisation (ISO) deputy director, are seen flogging Fred Kangume, the Kiryandongo district Kimogora parish councillor.
In the video, which has since gained traction on X, formerly Twitter, a handcuffed Kangume can be heard screaming in the local dialect amidst a barrage of canes. The unnamed actors wearing plain clothes can be heard yelling in Kiswahili ‘lala mzuri’ in Kiswahili which means ‘sleep properly’.
The victim, according to reports, is blamed for straying on ranch 11, which is within the vicinity.
However, while appearing before the human rights committee on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, Defence Minister (MODVA) Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempija vowed to deal with this impunity. He was flanked by Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) deputy chief Col. Abdul Rugumayo.
“Nobody is above the law, whether it is a General who is torturing people. Certainly, nobody is allowed to torture people in this country. So, we have to assure the public that the issue will be investigated and we are going to give our answer in writing about what steps we have taken,” Ssempija said.
He added: “We don’t have solidarity in crime in UPDF. If somebody has made his whatever he or she knows what is good or bad, he must carry his cross".
MPs' concern
He was responding to concerns that were earlier raised by David Lagen (Agago County, NRM) and Rose Obigah (Terego District Woman, NRM).
“Of recent, I think there was a video circulating on social media in that part of Bunyoro. There was one LC1 who was being flogged seriously by local people and I think it was on the order of Gen. Taban Amin. LC 1 trespassed on the land of the investor which was near his place. I was also wondering whether you are aware of that and what action has been taken?” Lagen said.
According to Obigah, the visual has since attracted the attention of lawmakers sitting on the presidential committee.
“This video is on our presidential affairs committee platform. It is very embarrassing, flogging this man for six to eight hours, honestly over his land. Flogging is inhumane and degrading treatment and I know honorable (Fox Odoi), you are there with us on that platform,” Obiga said.
“Not only that, the people of that place are complaining that the General is taking their land. He just comes in the morning, surrounds and chases you away. He has become impossible, let him (Taban Amin) come back to us in West Nile, other than killing the people of Kiryandongo,” she said.
Amin denies claims
However, Amin has denied torturing Kangume.
In a phone interview with New Vision Online Amin said: “I don’t have soldiers; I don’t have escorts. I move alone with my driver. So can they tell you which soldiers and from where? I don’t have escorts, even in Kampala I move alone in my car. I don’t need escorts, I am a very peaceful person, I love my people,” Taban explained.
“These MPs are using my name because they want to get votes from their people which is very wrong and people here don’t like them too,” he added.
Land conflicts
It is alleged that the Amin family illegally owns a parcel of land on what is today known as Ranch 11, which covers Mutunda and Kiryandongo sub-counties.
The Nubian community, army veterans, and Kibyama community have since been resettled in the area. Taban Amin, however, says the influx of land grabbers has turned the tables.
“These people who came illegally got big land like 80-100 acres but they were not using it but renting it to other people. Then life became hard for them, Nubians left the place and came back to Kigumba. The Kibyama also left and went to the Park, then the Alur whom Ngompek brought, they are there. So it became like Katogo,” he said.
Amin disclosed that he has been facing it rough as well. Although he said he had no hand, in Kangume’s torture, he retorted that the latter had been among those witch-hunting him.
“So, this man who was beaten was so bitter to me. He was saying I am a rebel, I am not a general in ISO, I don’t work in ISO, I am just fabricating things and I have come to steal their land. So, maybe my sons who were there are the ones who beat him but not my soldiers, not me. I was not even there, I was in Congo,” he alleged.
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