Rights body wants power for West-Nile

Jul 16, 2009

THE Government’s failure to establish a reliable power source in the West Nile region is a violation of the residents’ rights, the Human Rights Commission has said. The commission officials said it was inexcusable that some residents still used grass

By Frank Mugabi

THE Government’s failure to establish a reliable power source in the West Nile region is a violation of the residents’ rights, the Human Rights Commission has said. The commission officials said it was inexcusable that some residents still used grass torches.

The officials were recently on a tour of northern Uganda. “The issue of energy in West Nile must be taken seriously. People are being held backward because of unfulfilled promises,” the commissioners noted.

Speaking at a dinner with district officials at the Heritage Courts in Arua district, the commissioners appealed to the Government to either connect the region to the national grid or construct a power source in the area.

However, they commended the Police and Prisons for reducing the once rampant torture of suspects in their custody. “We thank you for the effort and urge you to make sure that the remaining cases become history,” the commission chairman, Medi Kaggwa, said.

Kaggwa refuted reports that the commission was pushing the Government to extend the hours suspects are held in custody without appearing before court.

“That is not our duty. Our major concern is that the 48-hour rule is not being enforced in some areas where Police posts lack transport,” Kaggwa explained.

The Arua district vice-chairman, Kamilo Sabo, thanked the commission for opening a regional office in the district. He said most people had spent many years in exile, adding that the office would help sensitise them on their rights.

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