Maj. Mutale Denies Torturing Civilians

By Alfred Wasike and Enock Kakande THE Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Maj. Roland Kakooza Mutale, has denied torturing anyone opposed to President Yoweri Museveni. "I am coming out for the first time to talk about this. I urge all Ugandans to believe me. I have not tortured anyone who is opposed to President Museveni. I challenge anyone to produce anybody who claims that I have beaten them or my people have tortured them," he said in Luganda while addressing a huge rally in Nyendo, a suburb in Masaka town. The Masaka south-western Police Commander, Oyo Nyeko, said the police had not received any reports about the torture. "We have just been hearing rumours but nobody has come forward to make formal reports. But we are going to verify the rumour," he said. "But we are holding 11 suspects who were arrested and handed over to us by Christopher Kizza, a political commissar in the President's Office. We are investigating the matter." Nyeko added. There were reports that Mutale's people beat up some Masaka residents because they allegedly flashed Sebaggala's V sign, Besigye's hammer and also shouted 'agende' (let Museveni go). The media has reported that Mutale and his team have been torturing supporters of Museveni's opponents. Mutale said, "I urge fellow countrymen to respect me. I have a family, who read these malicious things against me in the newspapers." I have travelled in all the 56 districts with people from all parts. How come they have not complained that I torture people?" he asked. Meanwhile, Muse-veni yesterday addressed mini-rallies in Rakai, Masaka, Mpigi and Wakiso districts. Ends