Schoolboy drags policeman to court

Dec 02, 2002

A FOURTEEN-year-old student at Rwampara Farm School in Mbarara has taken Ndeija Police Post boss to the Human Rights Commission Court, accusing him of unlawful arrest and detention

By Kyomuhendo

A FOURTEEN-year-old student at Rwampara Farm School in Mbarara has taken Ndeija Police Post boss to the Human Rights Commission Court, accusing him of unlawful arrest and detention.

Edson Mubwine told the court in Mbarara last week that Felix Turyahikayo arrested, handcuffed and threw him into Police cells and intimidated him to testify in a case in which Fred Kahangire, their neighbour, had assaulted him for trespass on his farm.

Mubwine also alleged that he stayed in the cells for over 72 hours before he was released after the intervention of Mbarara District Police Commander Wilson Kwanya and the area councillors.

“The father of this boy lodged a case at a lower court at Kinoni against Kahangire but on realising the danger, Kahangire ordered the Police to arrest the boy and accuse him of having had unlawful sex with his cow,” Wilson Banyenzaki, a councillor alleged.

Sources at the Human Rights Commission office in Mbarara on Saturday said they had written to the officer to defend himself within 10 days before they proceed with prosecution.

Kwanya said they had instituted investigations into the matter. “We are prepared to deal firmly with the officer once the claims are proved.”

The area state attorney said Mubwine had no case to answer.

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