Activists freed after demanding justice for police brutality compensation delays

Human rights activists who were arrested for protesting the delayed compensation for police brutality have been temporarily released from custody.

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The three activists, namely Nana Namata Mwafirika, Phiona Arinatwe, and Night Asara, were detained at Jinja Road Police Station after their peaceful demonstration at Naguru Police Headquarters in Kampala.

They were advocating for the police force to honour court decisions regarding compensation for victims of brutality, considering the failure to do so as an act of impunity.

The police stated, "They staged a demonstration, but the police responded, and they were taken to Jinja Road Police Station. We want to appeal to them that such demonstrations are unlawful as they took place at a security installation where day-to-day security matters are handled."

The suspects had previously notified the police about their planned demonstration in a letter seen by the Nile Post.

Before her arrest, Namata shared with journalists her experience of being brutalized by the police and the lack of compensation despite a court order in 2019, which mandated the police to pay her Shs43 million.

Expressing her demand for justice, Namata said, "Police torture took away my rights as a woman because I lost my uterus due to their actions. I am here to demand that the police honour court decisions and provide compensation for their convictions in human rights violations."

She further stated, "We have nothing to celebrate when the police continue to brutalize women daily,"

There are allegations that the authorities have been disregarding legal rulings, thereby violating the rights of individuals involved in legal disputes.

Namata argued that the charges against them are unjust and exemplify the growing culture of impunity within the country's law enforcement agencies.

She highlighted that impunity refers to the sense of exemption from punishment or consequences for wrongdoing.

The activists believe that charging peaceful protesters is a clear demonstration of impunity on the part of the authorities, undermining their rights to free expression and assembly.

They emphasized that their legal battles are far from over, as they continue to face charges related to their involvement in the peaceful demonstration.

As the case progresses, the human rights community will closely monitor the situation, advocating for fair treatment and justice for the activists.

The outcome of this case will significantly impact freedom of expression and the rights of peaceful protesters in the country.

The activists remain determined to fight for justice and human rights, serving as an inspiration to many. While their temporary release from police custody has provided a brief respite, they said that the struggle for justice and accountability continues.

Nana is a prominent advocate for human rights in Uganda, consistently championing justice, equality, and the rule of law. Through her activism, she has shed light on numerous cases of injustice and voiced strong criticism against governmental and institutional impunity.