American Watchdog Complains Of Torture
Mar 29, 2004
THE US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has asked the Government to end the torture of opposition politicians by security agencies.<br>
By Felix Osike
THE US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has asked the Government to end the torture of opposition politicians by security agencies.
In a report released yesterday, HRW said Ugandan security forces were torturing supporters of the political opposition and holding them in secret detention.
But Chief of Military Intelligence Col Noble Mayombo denied the claims, saying the HRW researchers were “mad.â€
“It is an irresponsible document because why didn’t they come here and look at the medical documents, read MPs reports and ask us?†Mayombo asked, adding that the HRW ignored his response to the allegations.
HRW’s 76-page report, State of Pain: Torture in Uganda, documents cases of torture by military, intelligence and security agents in the government’s pursuit of armed rebels.
“Uganda set up a shadow sector of security operations to contend with armed rebel groups and crime waves,†said Jemera Rone, Uganda researcher for the HRW Africa Division, “But now, the security system serves to punish and deter political opposition by detaining and torturing supporters of the political opposition.â€
Uganda Human Rights Commission chairperson Margaret Sekaggya declined to comment, saying she had just received the report.
“I am going to inquire from our investigations department whether we got those cases. But some things seem to be too much,†she said.
Mayombo said suspects are examined by a medical doctor before they appear in court. “In none of the cases has court made findings of torture as alleged,†he said.
Victims named by the report include late Patrick Mamenero, John Birungi, Rashid Kawawa, Ibrahim Lwere, Dongo Tchudja, Dan Mugarura, Dr Steven Mukama, Nicholas Ruzinda, Ibrahim Lubega, Lt. Gonzaga Bukenya, Joseph Kibate, Egesa Ochieng, George Kasozi, Lawyer Mugisha Kafureka, Isaac Kambesa and Charles Ekemu, most of whom Mayombo linked to various rebel groups.
Ends
THE US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has asked the Government to end the torture of opposition politicians by security agencies.
In a report released yesterday, HRW said Ugandan security forces were torturing supporters of the political opposition and holding them in secret detention.
But Chief of Military Intelligence Col Noble Mayombo denied the claims, saying the HRW researchers were “mad.â€
“It is an irresponsible document because why didn’t they come here and look at the medical documents, read MPs reports and ask us?†Mayombo asked, adding that the HRW ignored his response to the allegations.
HRW’s 76-page report, State of Pain: Torture in Uganda, documents cases of torture by military, intelligence and security agents in the government’s pursuit of armed rebels.
“Uganda set up a shadow sector of security operations to contend with armed rebel groups and crime waves,†said Jemera Rone, Uganda researcher for the HRW Africa Division, “But now, the security system serves to punish and deter political opposition by detaining and torturing supporters of the political opposition.â€
Uganda Human Rights Commission chairperson Margaret Sekaggya declined to comment, saying she had just received the report.
“I am going to inquire from our investigations department whether we got those cases. But some things seem to be too much,†she said.
Mayombo said suspects are examined by a medical doctor before they appear in court. “In none of the cases has court made findings of torture as alleged,†he said.
Victims named by the report include late Patrick Mamenero, John Birungi, Rashid Kawawa, Ibrahim Lwere, Dongo Tchudja, Dan Mugarura, Dr Steven Mukama, Nicholas Ruzinda, Ibrahim Lubega, Lt. Gonzaga Bukenya, Joseph Kibate, Egesa Ochieng, George Kasozi, Lawyer Mugisha Kafureka, Isaac Kambesa and Charles Ekemu, most of whom Mayombo linked to various rebel groups.
Ends