Gov't official due in court over torture

WARNING! GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW

CRIME

DOKOLO - The principal assistant secretary in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, James Ocen Okuja (pictured top), is expected to appear in court on Tuesday to answer charges of torture.

He is the owner of Dokolo Hotel in Dokolo town council.

Okuja's two files of torture have been sanctioned by the Dokolo State Attorney ahead of his scheduled appearance at Dokolo Magistrates Court to answer the charges.

He is alleged to have tortured a UPDF soldier Paul Ocen, 31, attached to 63 Infantry Battalion Headquarters Palaro Barracks in Gulu and Lameck Owong of Acengryeny, Dokolo district inflicting  serious injuries on their back.

The duo were among several revelers who had gone to his hotel to celebrate May Day when they were reportedly arrested, tied with ropes, confined overnight and allegedly tortured by Okuja personally before he called Dokolo DPC Aminsi Kayondo Lukanga to collect them.

Okuja on May 4 admitted he personally tortured the duo in a recorded telephone interview but four days later, the day he reported to police, he denied having said they were tortured within his hotel and not by him.

Okuja recorded a statement at the DPC's office and was released on police bond.

He reported on Friday and his bond was extended to Tuesday.

The regional police spokesperson of North Kyoga, David Ongom said the file has been sanctioned and the suspect will appear in court early this coming week.

A medical report of the UPDF soldier indicates that he sustained grievous harm. He suffered severe multiple burns on the whole body with bruises on the arm and abdomen. The burns were reportedly inflicted by a red hot metal.

According to Section 4 (1) of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2012, a person who performs any act of torture commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for fifteen years or to a fine of three hundred and sixty currency points (sh7.2m) or both.

Okuja may be sentenced to life imprisonment on conviction if court considers his acts aggravating (section 5).

Section 18 of the same Act states that bail  in  respect  of  the offence  of  torture  may  be  granted  by  a Chief Magistrate. This implies that Okuja will be remanded in custody until he applies for bail in the Chief Magistrates Court in Lira.

The army said they are keenly following how the matter is being handled. 5th Division PRO Capt. Sam Emuluga said they are aware that the file has been sanctioned and the suspect is due to appear in court.

The torture victims said they have been approached by many people sent by Okuja to have the matter settled out of court. Police officers and a one Olweny, a CMI operative based in Lira who is a brother-in-law of the accused, is reportedly one of them but they have declined any mediation.