UHRC asks EC to come clear on Anti-Torture law

By Cecilia Okoth & Sarah Nakamwa

The Uganda Human Rights Commission has asked the Electoral Commission to make the Anti-Torture Law (ATL) clear to actors of torture and the law enforcement unit, ahead of the 2016 political campaigns.

The body, together with the Coalition Against Torture (CAT) argued that since its implementation, recent reports by UHRC and other organisations reveal that cases of torture still rank high among these categories in human rights violations.

"It was a major breakthrough to have the ATL in place. In the past, if a policeman committed a crime, it was the Attorney General who went to court and Government would be responsible. But now under the new law, the individual has to be penalized," said Gordon Mwesigye, the Secretary UHRC.

Mwesigye made these remarks at press briefing at the Golf Course Hotel in Kampala Monday, ahead of the UN day in support of torture survivors celebrated every June 26.

The theme for this year is; 'Implement the Anti-Torture Law'.
           
"We are calling on all actors to actively and effectively use the new anti-torture law in order to curb the vice," he added.
           
UHRC together with other partners under CAT initiated the process of enacting the prevention and prohibition of torture law in Uganda in 2009 which culminated into enactment of the Anti-Torture Law in 2012.

"Despite this there were still gaps in the legal frame work pertaining to the prohibition of torture in Uganda," Mwesigye said, adding that there is urgent need for wide dissemination of provisions of the ATL by all key actors in order to popularize it.

Nicholas Opiyo, a team leader at Chapter Four Uganda a human rights NGO said during electoral periods, cases of torture tend to spike, leaving the victims of torture with the most heinous incidents.
           
"We are sounding a warning to all political actors. The ATL is in place and we are watching you," Opiyo said.
           
In the same vain, Mwesigye called on Government to urgently pay the outstanding compensations to the survivors of torture amounting to over sh3bn.
           
"Government should enhance their commitment to the elimination of torture in Uganda to protect, fulfill and uphold its duty to promote human rights and human dignity for all," He concluded.