Uganda Law Society condemns ISO's raid on MTN data center

The Uganda Law Society have condemned Internal Security Organisation (ISO) acts of raiding the MTN data centre in Mutundwe.

In a statement issued by their president Simon Peter Kinobe, The Uganda Law Society noted with concern, statements made by the ISO Director General, Colonel Kaka Bagyenda were he affirmed responsibility of the attack on the MTN data center.

"It is very chilling to hear the Director General of ISO proudly associating himself with such illegalities in a press conference. The need for any government agency to gain access to any property or information from the public using heavily armed med is uncalled for considering that the same could have been accessed lawfully. The era of accessing information at gun point is long past," part of the statement from the Uganda Law Society reads.

The statement also goes ahead to note that the NRM government has always prided itself on it's ability to ensure that security agencies do not misuse the gun or turn the gun against people and so accessing the MTN data center with use of guns is 'most unacceptable.'

It is on these grounds that the Law Society demanded Government to denounce the attack on MTN and the illegal arrest of citizens by ISO and also decisively deal with the particular individuals who broke the law in the arrest/kidnap of MTN employees and illegally accessed MTN's data center.

They said government should also assure the general public and investors that such lawless acts will not be repeated by ISO and any other security organs.

Uganda Law Society also criticised the 'illegal' detention of Movit boss, Mr. Birungi Simpson by ISO saying they are seemingly operating above the law which is a deeply worrying trend that needs to be checked.

They demand government to task ISO leadership to explain the arrest in the face of clear provisions of the law.

The Society further threatened to consider starting private prosecutions against the individuals concerned including but not limited to Col. Frank Kaka Bagyenda for abduction with intent to confine contrary to S. 244 of the Penal Act Cap 120, wrongfully concealing an abducted person contrary to S. 247 of the Penal CodeAct, Attempted Robbery Criminal tress pass among others.

"We shall engage the necessary stake holders and continue to educate the public accordingly," the statement indicated in conclusion.