MP petitions UHRC over Buganda riot suspects

By Henry Sekanjako

Ntenjeru South MP Patrick Nsanja has petitioned the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) to bargain for bail for Buganda riot suspects.

Over 20 Buganda riot suspects are still in Luzira since their arrest in September 2009. The riots broke out in Buganda after Police blocked the Katikkiro of Buganda, Eng. J.B. Walusimbi from crossing the Sezibwa Bridge.

According to Nsanja, one of the suspects, Jesero Living stone Nsubuga is currently admitted at Mulago Hospital awaiting an operation for ulcer complications but cannot get bail for proper medical attention.

In his petition to the chairman (UHRC) Meddy Kagawa, Nsanja noted that ever since the arrest of the Buganda suspect rioters, the commission has never interested its self in ensuring that the accused get bail despite their long stay in jail.

“Article 52(3) gives the commission powers to order the release of a detained or restricted person, payment of compensation, and any other remedy or redress. The UHRC has not exploited the same powers to challenge the preferring of terrorism charges on people who were arrested demonstrating to express their dissatisfaction on matters that interest them,” Nsanja noted.

He said the access to justice and enjoyment of fundamental human rights should not be selective to a few, but all Ugandans.

“The suspects have endured long detention without being tried in courts of law, but UHRC has remained tight-lipped on the matter despite pleas from the victims, and their relatives many of whom lack the capacity to influence the speedy trial,” he stated.

Nsanja also wants the commission to establish whether all the detainees in Luzira Prison are in a good health condition to avoid cases of torture.

He said most of the suspects like Nsubuga have fallen sick but nothing has been done to ensure that they are given bail even when it is their constitutional right.

However Roselyn Karugonjo, the director monitoring and inspection at UHRC maintained that the commission is not just seated but was following up on the case.

 The suspects facing treason charges participated in riots that were inspired by the blocking by police of Buganda’s Prime Minister from visiting Kayunga in preparation of Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s visit to the area.

Twenty-five people were reportedly killed and another 80 injured in the fracas.