UPDF Soldier Gets Sh35m For Torture
Apr 15, 2004
THE Uganda Human Rights Tribunal has awarded a soldier sh35m compensation for illegal detention and torture by the military.
By Jude Etyang
THE Uganda Human Rights Tribunal has awarded a soldier sh35m compensation for illegal detention and torture by the military.
Commissioner J.M. Aliro-Omara on Wednesday ordered the Government to pay Sgt. Jackson Cherop sh15m for an illegal five-and-a-half week detention and sh20m for torture he suffered at the hands of another UPDF soldier.
Omara said Cherop’s right to personal liberty had been violated.
Doctors said Cherop can no longer get an erection due to “direct†kicks on the spine. He was present at the tribunal held at the Human Rights Headquarters at Buganda Road.
Omara said Cherop was arrested in Mbale in February 2000 by Capt. Medi Baguma over a firearm.
He was detained at the Bugema army barracks and Entebbe Marine Unit army barracks for 29 days and tortured by a UPDF intelligence officer, Justin Odoch. Omara said the tribunal accepted evidence that Cherop was bound kandoya (hands behind the back) and kicked with “heavy army boots†for a confession.
“The tribunal accepts Cherop’s evidence that during his arrest and detention he was beaten and subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment. It accepts the evidence that Odoch beat him up and kicked him at Tirinyi,†Omara said.
Omara said while in detention Cherop was denied food and medical treatment which amoun-ted to torture. He said Cherop was held incommunicado. Quoting the evidence of three doctors, Omara said Cherop was affected mentally.
Omara condemned Odoch’s conduct saying, “The conduct of the Intelligence Administrator Justin Odoch was callous and unbecoming of an army officer. The tribunal finds it disturbing that he could brutally attack a person, lock him up in a tiny cell for days without food or water, and refuse medical treatment in the name of forcing him to own up to the existence of a firearm.â€
Ends
THE Uganda Human Rights Tribunal has awarded a soldier sh35m compensation for illegal detention and torture by the military.
Commissioner J.M. Aliro-Omara on Wednesday ordered the Government to pay Sgt. Jackson Cherop sh15m for an illegal five-and-a-half week detention and sh20m for torture he suffered at the hands of another UPDF soldier.
Omara said Cherop’s right to personal liberty had been violated.
Doctors said Cherop can no longer get an erection due to “direct†kicks on the spine. He was present at the tribunal held at the Human Rights Headquarters at Buganda Road.
Omara said Cherop was arrested in Mbale in February 2000 by Capt. Medi Baguma over a firearm.
He was detained at the Bugema army barracks and Entebbe Marine Unit army barracks for 29 days and tortured by a UPDF intelligence officer, Justin Odoch. Omara said the tribunal accepted evidence that Cherop was bound kandoya (hands behind the back) and kicked with “heavy army boots†for a confession.
“The tribunal accepts Cherop’s evidence that during his arrest and detention he was beaten and subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment. It accepts the evidence that Odoch beat him up and kicked him at Tirinyi,†Omara said.
Omara said while in detention Cherop was denied food and medical treatment which amoun-ted to torture. He said Cherop was held incommunicado. Quoting the evidence of three doctors, Omara said Cherop was affected mentally.
Omara condemned Odoch’s conduct saying, “The conduct of the Intelligence Administrator Justin Odoch was callous and unbecoming of an army officer. The tribunal finds it disturbing that he could brutally attack a person, lock him up in a tiny cell for days without food or water, and refuse medical treatment in the name of forcing him to own up to the existence of a firearm.â€
Ends