Gov't issues apology over torture victims

May 16, 2017

Police has arrested four officers and investigations are still going on

State Minister of Internal Affairs Obiga Kania presents on the Parliament floor during the plenary session. Photo by Kennedy Oryema

Government has apologized to the country for the recent stories in the media about the gruesome torture of suspects linked to the death of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Andrew Felix Kaweesi.

State Minister for Internal Affairs, Kania Obiga, told Parliament that government condemns the acts and all those involved will be brought to book.

He explained that since the torture stories came up, Police has arrested four officers and investigations are still going on.  

"We apologize to the country because essentially what we do as Police should not be what you are seeing in the media. Laws have been broken but it's not correct to say that we have been doing nothing," he said.

"Once we investigate all these issues, we shall present a comprehensive report so that the matter is extensively discussed and solutions found," he said.

Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa said government does not support torture and supports all laws that were passed by parliament against torture.

"Madam Speaker, thank you for raising this matter. The Government does not support torture. Whoever is involved will be brought to book" she said as members booed her.

She attracted more heckling when she was asked whether she was aware of the three children still under Police custody to which she answered no.

This was after members led by Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, demanded for an explanation why the people involved in torturing the suspects have not been produced in court.

Quoting the Penal Code, the Constitution and the Anti-Torture Act, Kadaga argued that the officers have committed criminal offenses and should therefore be produced in court.

"The matter has been in the media for some time, why did the officers torture the suspects. Torture and abduction are criminal offences. These are crimes against humanity and the perpetrators ought to be in the dock by now," Kadaga said in her communication to the House.

Referring to Nalufenya Police Station as a torture chamber, some MPs called for the immediate closure of the place and demanded that the culprits be immediately produced in courts of law and charged for crimes against humanity.

Francis Tumwijukye describing Nalufenya Police Station as a torture chamber and demanded that it should be closed.

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