Human rights activists unveil “black book” to record torture victims

A group of activists has unveiled what they termed as a black book in which they will record all victims of torture orchestrated by various security agencies around the country.

“Every torture victim will be free to come and register in the book so that action is taken. We have to show Uganda and the world that we have torture orchestrated onto Ugandans at the hands of security agencies," said ”Norman Tumuhimbise during a press briefing held at Emerald hotel in Kampala.

The human rights activists say the move is aimed at punishing perpetrators, help victims get justice and ensure impunity is stopped.

The US government last month slapped sanctions on former Inspector General of Police, Gen.Kale Kayihura over human rights violations carried out during his reign as the police chief.

The activists, however, argued that the sanctions should not end on the former police chief but all people involved in violation of human rights of Ugandans.

“We ask the US and other international partners to slap sanctions to other people just like they did to Gen.Kayihura. We implore them to confiscate assets if any that Gen.Kayihura and individuals like him accumulated, sold publically and revenue used to compensate Ugandans who suffered at their hands,” said Farida Bikobere.

The activists said they will not end at only registering victims of human rights abuses on Ugandan citizens but warned they would pursue individuals involved in torturing Ugandans.

The Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2012 criminalises torture as a form of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

 Past incidents

A number of people have complained of being tortured at the hands of various security agencies.

In 2017, a group of 22 people suspected of having masterminded the gruesome murders of AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi told the Nakawa Magistrates Court that they had been tortured while in detention at Nalufenya.

They showed rotting fingers whereas others were limping and in 2018, the High Court in Kampala ordered for the compensation of the suspects after confirming they had been tortured by security agencies.

The same year, photos showing nasty wounds of another suspect in the murder of AIGP Kaweesi, also Kamwenge mayor, Geoffrey Byamukama went viral on social media.

Last Year, Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi and other MPs who were arrested after the Arua municipality polls accused security agencies of torturing them.

Last year, a group of people accused of masterminding the kidnap and murder of Susan Magara accused security agencies of torturing them while in detention.

The Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2012 defines torture as any act or omission, by which severe pain or suffering whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of any person whether a public official or other person acting in an official or private capacity for a number of purposes.

The act also says that any person who tortures another commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for fifteen years or to a fine of three hundred and sixty currency points or both.

President Museveni last year warned security agencies against involving themselves into torturing of suspects.

“It is not necessary because what you want is for this criminal to pay for his sins. You do not have to beat him or maim him. He will be punished by being imprisoned or even hanged if he is sentenced. You should, therefore, not play in the criminal’s hands by beating him/her so that he gains public sympathy.  Your job is to detect, investigate, arrest and interrogate the suspect by using the facts of your investigations,”Museveni said.