Kamwenge mayor torture: Investigations still underway

KAMPALA - Investigations into the case in which four senior police officers are accused of torturing Kamwenge mayor Geoffrey Byamukama are still underway, according to the state.

The development was communicated to Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Jameson Karemani who is presiding over case on Friday by state attorney Jonathan Muwaganya.

"Your worship investigations in this case are still ongoing. We pray that the matter be further mentioned to enable the police finalises its investigations," Muganya said prompting the Chief Magistrate to adjourn the case to July 11, 2017 for mention.

The suspects are Assistant Superintendant of Police (ASP) Patrick Muramira, Fred Tumuhairwe, Probation Police Constables (PPC), Habib Roma and Ben Odeke.

 The four who are battling torture and causing grievous harm to Byamukama are currently on bail.

Prosecution alleges that the accused and others still at large on April 5, 2017, unlawfully caused grievous harm Byamukama.

It further alleges that they used iron bars and Baton to beat Byamukama on knees and ankles after arresting him from his office of William Turyomurugendo, the commissioner planning and quality assurance in the lands ministry. The case was adjourned to June 16, 2017

Torture is contrary to Section 4 of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2012 whiles the offence of doing grievance harm contrary to Section 219 of the Penal Code Act.

On April, 5, 2017, Byamukama was arrested by Police from the Lands Ministry in Kampala over his alleged participation in the murder of former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Andrew Felix Kaweesi.

He was allegedly driven in a police van to Nalufenya police station in Jinja district from where the suspects allegedly pounced on him and severely beat him using a baton and iron bar hence causing serious injuries to his body.

Later Byamukama's dreadful wounds leaked on social media, prompting the authorities to arrest the four suspects.

He is still under medication at Nalufenya police station in Jinja, according to police spokesperson AIGP Asan Kasingye.

(Additional reporting by Jill Akanshumbusha)