Senior civil servant in court over torture

James Okuja, 53, the principal assistant secretary in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs also the proprietor of Dokolo Hotel, a resident of Sonde Cell, Kiira Division in Wakiso District is due to appear before Chief Magistrate, Alex Mushabe Karocho, at Lira Magistrate Court to answer two counts of torture.

Okuja being subjected to a search by a prison warder. Photo by Hudson Apunyo

Prosecution's case against Okuja is that on the May 1, 2017 at Dokolo Hotel in Dokolo District, he intentionally inflicted severe pain or suffering on Private Ocen Paul (RA 2017604) and a civilian Owong Lameck by tying, beating and burning them with hot metal as a way of punishing them for suspected criminal trespass on the hotel grounds and malicious damage to a toilet water system.

The charge is contrary to section 3 (1) and 4 (1) of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2012. It's alleged that Okuja and others still at large committed the offence.

He is to appear in court at 2pm and has or the first time been put in custody at the Court cells.

While being searched in the cell, Okuja denied having a phone but after he was subjected to a thorough search, a mobile phone was found hidden in his coat.