Uganda Law Society
The Uganda Law Society has added its voice to others in condemning acts of torture by security sources on suspects in the attempted murder of Gen Katumba Wamala.
5 suspects were last week charged and remanded to Kitalya government prison until August 13th when their case comes up for mention.
The suspects include; Kagugube Muhammad, Walusimbi Kamada, Kisambira Siriman Ayuub, Abdulaziz Ramadhan Dunku, Habib Ramadhan Marjan. 2 others Yasin Nyanzi and Hussein Serubula were remanded the previous week.
However, while appearing at the Nakawa Magistrates court, the weeping suspects showed visible marks of torture on their backs, legs, and hands.
The lawyer representing Geofrey Turyamusima asked the presiding magistrate Dr. Douglas Singiza to grant them bail on grounds that they needed medical attention but he refused, saying his court lacks the mandate to meet such demands.
The magistrate also informed the court that the suspects would be treated at Kitalya government prison in the meantime.
Now, ULS president Pheonah Nabasa Wall, says it’s illegal and a violation of human rights to treat suspects that way.
Uganda Law Society
Nabasa says the court should have granted the suspects bail and the right to get treated at their own disposal.
This she states under the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act.
“Section 7 (2) of the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act 2019 provides that where a human rights matter arises in any proceedings before the Magistrate Court, the Magistrate Court shall immediately stay the proceedings in the main matter and first determine the human rights issue raised. Further remanding these suspects and letting the matter continue in total disregard of the evidential torture, we believe is a further miscarriage of justice,” she said.
The ULS says all the security operatives behind the vicious torture of the suspects must be apprehended and face the law.
On 1st June 2021 at Kisaasi Central Zone, the accused attempted to murder Work’s Minister Gen Katumba Wamala and his private bodyguards Sgt Khalid Kuboit and Mucunguzi Boniface.
The group also killed his daughter Brenda Nantongo and driver Haruna Kayondo on the same day.
They were charged with 2 counts of murder, attempted murder, and terrorism.
The suspects were also denied the chance to plead to the charges on grounds that their case can only be tried in a higher court.
