Torture: Lawyers consider private prosecution of individual security officers
Lawyers who are members of the Public Interest Lawyers’ Network have threatened to privately prosecute all security officers who are involving themselves in gross torture, killing and violation of civilians.
They told The Nile Post that the DPP and the courts of law have continually admitted evidence which is gotten through torture and brutalisation of suspects.
They now want the Chief Defence Forces and the Inspector General of Police to bring all their errant men and women to book.
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Authur Nsereko the coordinator at the network said: “We call upon the CDF and the IGP to bring their men to order. We also call upon the DPP and courts to exercise their independence and at the same time be accountable when injustices are seen to be done as opposed to be seen to be presiding over them."
Recently there has been a spike in cases of torture perpetuated mainly by security personnel. Currently two MPs, Robert Kyagulanyi and Francis Zaake are nursing injuries sustained after they were allegedly tortured while in detention in Arua.
Nsereko said they are considering private prosecution of the security personnel who engage in acts of torture and inhumane treatment.
The group last year instituted such prosecution against then IGP Kale Kayihura and a number of his commanders over accusations of torturing opposition and members of the public, only for the process to be blocked by untamed goons who stormed the Makindye magistrates’ court chanting "no" to the trial.
The High court later legally stopped the trial of the Kayihura in an individual capacity away from his office.
Nsereko said: "I know we’ve tried this before with the police brutality against members of the opposition and yes we’ll not tire of seeking justice form the courts."
The lawyers have been moved by the recent brutality and violence on streets during electioneering and demonstrations for the release of Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanya aka Bobi Wine.
The demos have left some civilians nursing wounds and others dead at the hands of security officers.
