Police fined sh70m after officers kill teenager in custody

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The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) tribunal has awarded Stella Acanit, 53, compensation of shillings 70 million for the violation of her son’s right to life.

This is after her 15-year-old son was killed by Police officers while in custody at the Kyere police post in Serere District in 2014.

This tribunal session, held in the Soroti regional office on Wednesday and Thursday (October 1-2, 2025), is addressing a total of 18 cases from as far back as 2008, with Acanit's case standing out as particularly distressing.

Acanit approached the commission following the tragic death of Opolot, who was held at the Kyere Police post on January 12, 2014, under allegations of defilement.

At just 15, Opolot faced accusations related to a 17-year-old girl. He was arrested by a Police officer alongside the Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO), David Ekelu, and the LC1 chairperson of Akisim, Olakai and taken to the Kyere Police post.

A murder most foul

Upon learning of her son's detention, Acanit visited the Police post in an attempt to negotiate his release. However, she was met with the devastating news that, within six hours of his detention, Opolot had allegedly hanged himself.

Acanit argued that this tragedy resulted from the police officers' negligent actions, which constituted a violation of Opolot’s right to life as guaranteed by Article 22 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.

However, a postmortem conducted by Dr John Wilson Etolu revealed that Opolot’s neck had been twisted, indicating foul play.

The report stated, "Opolot died due to cervical spine injury with transection of the spine causing cardio-respiratory arrest."

Following the investigation led by the then Serere District Police commander Jimmy Anthony Oyuku, four individuals, including Detective Corporal Ajotu, PC Enyutu, GISO Ekelu and James Oluka, a medical staff member from Kateta Health Centre III, were arrested on murder charges.

Only Oluka and Ekelu were acquitted; the two Police officers received prison sentences for murder. Evidence presented confirmed that Opolot was subjected to brutal torture while in custody.

The tribunal concluded that the state failed to provide a credible explanation for Opolot’s death and noted compelling evidence that Police officers at the Kyere Police post acted with deliberate intent to harm him.

The tribunal found the actions of Ajotu and Enyutu to be brutal and inexcusable.

Tribunal chairperson Mariam Wangadya expressed her astonishment that in this country, a 15-year-old boy could be accused of defiling a 17-year-old girl.

Revise the defilement law

She questioned which other country has such unfair laws and urged the justice ministry to take this matter seriously, emphasising that this law is unjust to children. It should be considered child-to-child sexual interaction rather than defilement.

"Opolot did not deserve to die over suspicions of child-to-child sex. We need amendments to the law to rectify this injustice. The rights of boy children are constantly violated by the state through these unfair laws, and this must not persist," she stated.

She also pointed out that Police usually search suspects to prevent them from having items to harm themselves, raising concerns about why Police placed a rope around his neck.

Wangadya noted that the tribunal has received numerous allegations against the Police, particularly regarding their conduct in apprehending and interrogating suspects, often breaching legal protocols.

She reminded the officers of the Uganda Police Force of their duty to uphold human rights and freedoms while executing their responsibilities.

The tribunal ordered the Attorney General to compensate Acanit, the mother of the deceased, with shillings 70 million for the violation of Opolot's right to life.

This sum will accrue interest at 10% per annum from the date of the ruling until fully paid. Any party dissatisfied with this verdict has the right to appeal to the High Court of Uganda within 30 days from the date of the decision.

Upon receiving the ruling, Acanit voiced her desire for shillings 100 million due to the stress after losing one of her three sons, which led to her developing ulcers, but she accepted the decision, stating that she would manage the awarded amount.

Other cases

Out of six cases decided on Wednesday, a total of shillings 94 million was awarded as compensation in three separate cases.

In a notable ruling, Nelson Okileng, a 55-year-old farmer from Alungari village in Ojim parish, Katine sub-county, Soroti district, has been awarded sh18 million for violations of his right to protection from torture and inhumane treatment.

This decision stems from a harrowing incident that occurred on February 12, 2010, as Okileng was returning home from the Apalamio trading centre about 9:00pm.

Okileng, who also worked as a fish vendor, found himself wrongfully accused by the Officer in Charge of the Katine Police Post, along with two other officers and some detained suspects, of being part of a gang involved in theft.

In reality, he was simply heading home after a day’s work. The OC, identified as Acelasi Ajaasi, subjected Okileng to severe physical violence, including beatings and stabbing with a bayonet, leading to his detention overnight.

The tribunal acknowledged the brutality of the Police actions, describing them as oppressive, sadistic and unjustifiable, which inflicted significant pain and mental distress on Okileng.

While he wished the tribunal’s decision had been reached much sooner, he expressed gratitude for the financial support he received from human rights organisations that helped cover his legal expenses.

He stated that shillings 18 million would be sufficient for him if the Government disburses it promptly.

In a related case, Fred Osama and Richard Musika received partial success in their claims, with each awarded shillings three million for violations of their right to personal liberty; however, their claims regarding torture did not progress.

Pauline Nansamba Mutumba, Director of Complaints Investigations Legal Services at the Commission, along with the Attorney General representing government agencies, will submit these rulings to the Uganda Police Force for payment processing.

Both Wangadya and Mutumba noted that the tribunal has faced delays in resolving cases, largely due to a backlog and resource limitations, exacerbated by the prolonged absence of tribunal sessions following the death of former chairperson Hajj Meddi Kagwa in 2019.

The tribunal, led by its chairperson and supported by Commissioners Col. Retired Stephen Basaliza, Lamex Omara Apitta, and Crispin Kaheru, continues to address these pressing issues.

The Uganda Human Rights Commission's Soroti regional office is responsible for overseeing the Teso, Sebei, and Bugisu sub-regions in Eastern Uganda.