The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has issued a stern warning to security agencies, particularly the police, against engaging in unlawful practices that could result in the harm or even death of residents. Chairperson of the UHRC, Mariam Fauzat Wangadya, emphasized that impunity will not be tolerated, urging security forces to uphold the law and protect the rights of citizens.
Wangadya’s remarks came during the launch of a one-week tribunal at the UHRC’s Kabale Regional Office in Makanga, Central Division of Kabale Municipality. This tribunal is the first of its kind at the Kabale Regional office and aims to address 13 cases reported to the branch, which serves the six districts of the Kigezi sub-region: Kabale, Kisoro, Kanungu, Rukiga, Rubanda, and Rukungiri.
The tribunal, led by Wangadya and three other commissioners—Hon. Col. Rtd. Stephen Basaliza, Hon. Lamex Omara Apitta, and Hon. Crispin Kaheru—began its proceedings at 10 a.m. During the session, Wangadya reiterated the commission’s stance against handling capital offenses such as robbery, murder, attempted murder, kidnap, and defilement, urging the public to take such cases to the courts of judicature. She emphasized that the UHRC’s mandate is to protect the rights of the innocent and marginalized, not to defend criminals.
Out of the 13 cases heard during the tribunal, nine were dismissed, one was concluded, and three were adjourned for further hearing. Among the concluded cases was the long-awaited justice for the intentional police killing of Innocent Twinomujjuni Mutekamga, son of Rugasimbana Francis, in 2008. Rugasimbana had turned to the UHRC tribunal after the courts convicted the murderers but failed to order compensation for the family of the deceased.
The High court had directed charges of murder to be instituted against the Inspector of Police IP Buko Dephas the then OC Station for Kabale and Detective Copal Karuhize Micheal who intentionally executed one Innocent Twinomujjuni Mutekamga at Kabalagara Hill.
The tribunal ruled that the family of the deceased be compensated with UGX 45 million and cautioned security forces that impunity has no place in a civilized society.
One of the adjourned cases involved Sgt. Moses Bwekwaso, a former instructor and transport manager at the Kyankwazi National Leadership Training Institute, who was allegedly tortured by the Uganda Wildlife Authority at his home in Kihihi, Kanungu District. Bwekwaso was asked to return home and await the tribunal’s judgment.
Ida Nakiganda, the UHRC’s Director of Complaints, Investigations, and Legal Services, noted that this is the first tribunal of its kind to be held in Kabale. She expressed confidence that the tribunal will bring justice closer to the residents of the Kigezi region, allowing them to access services more easily.
Theopista Twembi, the Principal Human Rights Officer at the Kabale office, and Robert Kakuru, the Executive Director of Kick Corruption out of Uganda, echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of bringing UHRC services closer to the people in the region. They reported that complaints have been registered across all regional offices in the country, demonstrating the widespread need for human rights protection.
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