Amnesty Commission accuses security agencies of sabotage

The Amnesty Commission has raised concern over the continued sabotage of their work by security agencies.

Justice Peter Onega alleged that some police personnel and army intelligence agencies have over time been harassing some of their staff, while in the line of duty.

"At times they find our staff in the bush going to meet some of the people we need and arrest them despite having identified themselves and what they are doing. Other are followed everywhere they do. They always take them and try force them to reveal our information with threats to charge them with terrorism or treason," he noted.

He made the revelation while handing over amnesty certificates to 10 returnees who had been released by the General Court Martial in Kampala yesterday.

Onega stressed that the acts by security agencies greatly affects their work.

He revealed that one of their key arbitrator identified as James Sozi was arrested last Friday by unknown people and is still missing.

"Sozi is our key mediator with the ADF rebels. This is the fifth time they have been arresting him and detaining him at unknown detention facilities," he noted.

Onega said he had already communicated to responsible authorities about the matter.

Those who were pardoned were the co-accused with MP of Nakawa Michael Kabaziguruka in a treason case. They included; eight Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers and two civilians.

They are;  Sgt Richards Odama, S'Sgt ZubairMusa, WO2 Isaac Kasabango, L/Cpl Raymond Drachiri, L/Cpl Godfrey Inyau, Pte Shafic Masembe, Pte Godfrey Amude, Pte Jacob Obua, Abdu Maliki Ochan and Musa Lutwama.

The 10 applicants were released upon their application for amnesty on June 2018 at the General Court Martial Court (GCM) in Makindye.

The commission's spokesperson, Moses Draku said they were 15 applicants, but the remaining five will be released anytime this week.

In 2006, Kabaziguruka and 22 others were accused of committing acts of treachery by infiltrating the defense forces and engaging in activities intended to overthrow the government by force of arms.

The offenses were reportedly committed between February and June this year, in the districts Kampala, Wakiso and Luweero.

 The 10 returnees were given their amnesty certificates, sh263,000/= each, and other resettlement packages including household items like mattresses, saucepans, basins and blankets among others. They were also given hoes and maize seedlings.