Torture case goes to Constitutional Court
HIGH Court judge Yorokamu Bamwine has referred to the Constitutional Court the case by Hoima town council LC3 chairperson Francis Atugonza against Brig. James Mugira and four other army officers for allegedly torturing him
HIGH Court judge Yorokamu Bamwine has referred to the Constitutional Court the case by Hoima town council LC3 chairperson Francis Atugonza against Brig. James Mugira and four other army officers for allegedly torturing him, reports Andante Okanya.
This followed an objection from the Attorney General (AG) over the rule under which the case was brought to court. In September last year, Atugonza dragged Mugira and his colleagues to court, saying they tortured him after his arrest in April of the same year.
Mugira’s co-accused are Maj. Benson Monday, Maj. Abel Kandiho, Lt. Charles Asiimwe and Lt. Alex Tumushabe. Atugonza said he was detained and tortured by the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce soldiers, which Mugira coordinates. He added that he was beaten up and taken to a house on Plot 54 Kololo Hill Lane.
Atugonza was later charged with obtaining money by false pretence at Mwanga II Court and released on bail. He has since denied the allegations, saying it is a political witch-hunt because he is a member of the opposition.
The press was barred from covering the proceedings on Monday because of a court order secured by the Government. The Government argued that the proceedings might reveal details that could compromise national security.
The AG’s representative, Elison Karuhanga, declined to speak to the press after the proceedings, saying he could not defy the order. However, Atugonza said the judge accepted his request to explain to the press the direction of the case.
“It is clear that the AG is merely using a technicality yet he is the custodian of law. He is contradicting himself,†Atugonza said. Atugonza, who is represented by Muhammad Mbabazi, wants court to rule that the officers are unfit to hold public office.
The Constitutional Court is yet to fix the date of the hearing.
This followed an objection from the Attorney General (AG) over the rule under which the case was brought to court. In September last year, Atugonza dragged Mugira and his colleagues to court, saying they tortured him after his arrest in April of the same year.
Mugira’s co-accused are Maj. Benson Monday, Maj. Abel Kandiho, Lt. Charles Asiimwe and Lt. Alex Tumushabe. Atugonza said he was detained and tortured by the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce soldiers, which Mugira coordinates. He added that he was beaten up and taken to a house on Plot 54 Kololo Hill Lane.
Atugonza was later charged with obtaining money by false pretence at Mwanga II Court and released on bail. He has since denied the allegations, saying it is a political witch-hunt because he is a member of the opposition.
The press was barred from covering the proceedings on Monday because of a court order secured by the Government. The Government argued that the proceedings might reveal details that could compromise national security.
The AG’s representative, Elison Karuhanga, declined to speak to the press after the proceedings, saying he could not defy the order. However, Atugonza said the judge accepted his request to explain to the press the direction of the case.
“It is clear that the AG is merely using a technicality yet he is the custodian of law. He is contradicting himself,†Atugonza said. Atugonza, who is represented by Muhammad Mbabazi, wants court to rule that the officers are unfit to hold public office.
The Constitutional Court is yet to fix the date of the hearing.