Rights commission writes to Police over Nambooze

Uganda Human Right Commission (UHRC) has written to Uganda Police boss Martin Okoth Ochola expressing concern about the continued incarceration of Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze.

UHRC stated that the manner in which she is being handled since her arrest on charges of computer misuse has deprived her of her rights, including getting medical care for her deteriorating medical condition.   

Nambooze was arrested on June 14 by the Police and later released on bond for alleged offensive communication. However, her bond was cancelled under mysterious circumstances.

"The commission is concerned that if anything happens to Nambooze as a result of the delay in her medical treatment, it would raise legitimate questions as to how she was treated while she was in police custody," UHRC chairperson Medi Kagwa wrote to Ochola.

"Furthermore the consequences will be grave to the embarrassment of the Uganda Police Force and the entire country."

The development comes after Nambooze was arrested on June 14, a couple of days following the murder of Arua MP Ibrahim Abiriga by unknown assailants.

The MP is being held for comments she shared on her social media account page before  Abiriga ‘s death in which she is heard making unsavory comments about the legislator, who was an ardent supporter of last year's controversial lifting of presidential term limits.

Nambooze is currently admitted at Kiruddu hospital after she fell ill while in police detention at Nagalama Police station.

"Apart from the treatment of Nambooze is receiving, she has been denied the opportunity to receive specialised treatment for her back problem which she was supposed to receive in India," Kagwa said.

"This is in contravention of Article 23 (5) (c) of the constitution which provides that a person shall be allowed access to medical treatment, including access to private medical care."

UHRC says Nambooze's arrest has exceeded the required 48 hour limit for which suspects should be held before trial in court as required under the Constitution.

UHRC also says Nambooze‘s ward [room 7] in Kiruddu hospital is under 24 police surveillance which has deprived her of her privacy.

UHRC wants Nambooze released as in her current state she is not in position to effectively defend herself against charges against her.