Zambian 'languishing' in CPS

THE Police last week confirmed that a Zambian, John Katsano, has been languishing in the Kampala Central Police Station cell since August 2000, writes Richard Mutumba. Eric Naigambi, the Police public relations officer, however, could not say under what circumstances Katsano is held. "I am not in a position to tell you why this man is being held, though I have received information that his case is being handled. The person in charge of the case returns from the USA on Sunday and that is when I will be able to give you the details," he said. Naigambi said it was illegal to detain someone in a Police cell for such a long time, "but I am trying to find out why Katsano is being held there." Mr. Aliro Omara, of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, said the commission would investigate the matter. Omara, however, said if Katsano was arrested under the Immigration Act, the Minister of Internal Affairs had powers to detain him until he is deported. Katsano wrote to The New Vision saying he had been in a cell at CPS since last year. "I was arrested on arrival at the airport, thoroughly investigated on issues mostly political and intelligence before being dumped at CPS Kampala. I was not physically tortured, but the mental anguish I am suffering is unbearable," he said. Ends