Rights activists want Aurien probe
Jul 30, 2009
WOMEN rights activists have asked the Government to order the re-investigation of the murder case against the former Mukono district Police commander, James Peter Aurien.
By Francis Kagolo
WOMEN rights activists have asked the Government to order the re-investigation of the murder case against the former Mukono district Police commander, James Peter Aurien.
“We are not satisfied with the way the case was handled. How can the key witness just disappear mysteriously?†said Tina Musuya, the executive director of the Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention.
At a press conference yesterday, Musuya said it was inappropriate to leave Aurien with his passport.
“There are many suspects who have stayed on remand for long. Why didn’t Aurien also stay in prison? Why didn’t court retain his passport? What if he flees the country?†she wondered.
The senior programme officer of Raising Voices, an NGO, Evelyn Letiyo said: “It shows that women can be battered, abused or even murdered with impunity.â€
Caroline Mayanja of the Federation of Women Lawyers said the organisation would take legal action if the Police and DPP fail to expedite the investigations.
“It is the Government’s mandate to protect women from violence,†she stressed.
“FIDA is in touch with the DPP over this case. If the Government fails to take action, FIDA will follow-up the matter. Justice must prevail,†she added.
Violence against women, the activists said, was on the increase due to the Police and DPP’s failure to effectively probe and convict perpetrators.
In 2008, over 70 women were killed by their spouses, they said.
They called upon the Government to be proactive in probing cases of domestic violence to guarantee the safety of witnesses.
The activists also urged the Police to use forensic evidence to convict murderers.
Reports indicate that 78% of women experience various forms of domestic violence, such as sexual assault, physical violence, and economic, verbal and emotional abuse.
Aurien, 58, who was an assistant superintendent of Police, was charged with the murder of his wife, Christine Apolot.
He allegedly shot her through the eye on April 20, 2008, suspecting her of having extra-marital affairs.
Three witnesses testified against him in the case, which was before High Court Judge Ssempa Lugayizi. Aurien denied the charges.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Monday withdrew the case, saying the key witness, Helen Ruth Akello, the deceased’s sister, had disappeared.
The Inspector General of Police, Kale Kaihura, has since ordered the Criminal Investigation Department to locate the witness.
In the meantime, Aurien will face the Police Disciplinary Court at a date yet to be announced.
WOMEN rights activists have asked the Government to order the re-investigation of the murder case against the former Mukono district Police commander, James Peter Aurien.
“We are not satisfied with the way the case was handled. How can the key witness just disappear mysteriously?†said Tina Musuya, the executive director of the Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention.
At a press conference yesterday, Musuya said it was inappropriate to leave Aurien with his passport.
“There are many suspects who have stayed on remand for long. Why didn’t Aurien also stay in prison? Why didn’t court retain his passport? What if he flees the country?†she wondered.
The senior programme officer of Raising Voices, an NGO, Evelyn Letiyo said: “It shows that women can be battered, abused or even murdered with impunity.â€
Caroline Mayanja of the Federation of Women Lawyers said the organisation would take legal action if the Police and DPP fail to expedite the investigations.
“It is the Government’s mandate to protect women from violence,†she stressed.
“FIDA is in touch with the DPP over this case. If the Government fails to take action, FIDA will follow-up the matter. Justice must prevail,†she added.
Violence against women, the activists said, was on the increase due to the Police and DPP’s failure to effectively probe and convict perpetrators.
In 2008, over 70 women were killed by their spouses, they said.
They called upon the Government to be proactive in probing cases of domestic violence to guarantee the safety of witnesses.
The activists also urged the Police to use forensic evidence to convict murderers.
Reports indicate that 78% of women experience various forms of domestic violence, such as sexual assault, physical violence, and economic, verbal and emotional abuse.
Aurien, 58, who was an assistant superintendent of Police, was charged with the murder of his wife, Christine Apolot.
He allegedly shot her through the eye on April 20, 2008, suspecting her of having extra-marital affairs.
Three witnesses testified against him in the case, which was before High Court Judge Ssempa Lugayizi. Aurien denied the charges.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Monday withdrew the case, saying the key witness, Helen Ruth Akello, the deceased’s sister, had disappeared.
The Inspector General of Police, Kale Kaihura, has since ordered the Criminal Investigation Department to locate the witness.
In the meantime, Aurien will face the Police Disciplinary Court at a date yet to be announced.