UHRC probes the recent riots

UHRC | RIOTS | 2021 ELECTION 

The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has launched investigations into the violent riots that paralyzed life in Kampala and other parts of the country last week.

The violence mainly in the central and eastern Uganda erupted following the arrest of the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine on his campaign trail in Luuka district.

Accused of undermining the electoral guidelines issued by the Electoral Commission (EC) and the health ministry to tame the spread of Covid-19, Bobi Wine was released by Iganga Chief Magistrates Court on Friday (November 20, 2020) after spending two days in a police detention facility at Nalufenya in Jinja district.

In a statement issued on Sunday (November 22, 2020), UHRC noted that some incidents that occurred during the ensuing chaos automatically translated into the violation of human rights.

The commission acting chairman, Dr Katebalirwe Amooti Wa Irumba told journalists at the offices in Kampala that people's livelihoods were affected when private and public properties like offices, roads and vehicles were vandalised or destroyed.

"The commission condemns in the strongest terms possible the perpetrators of the violence that was experienced, irrespective of which side they belonged whether they were errant law operatives or the violent rioters," , Katebalirwe said.

He added that the senseless acts of inflicting of injuries and loss of life to many people and loss of property in several areas of the country were unacceptable.

The death toll related to riots by on Sunday stood at 45 according to the police. However the commission basing on media reports put the figure at 46.

"The commission, therefore, commiserates with all those who lost their loved ones, or faced other forms of violations of their rights including loss of valuable property," he said.

According to Katebalirwe, there is so far no any formal complaint registered with the commission regarding violation of human rights.

Katebalirwe, however, revealed they have dispatched a team to visit Mulago and other health facilities to interview victims of the violence.

The team is also visiting different police stations to check on those detained according to Katebalirwe

"All law enforcement and justice agencies should ensure that all the suspects who were apprehended during the recent riots and those who are arrested during the entire electoral campaign period are accorded the full rights and freedoms as provided by the Constitution," Katebalirwe said.