Lawyers' body condemns re-arrest of Kaweesi murder suspects
Lawyers under their umbrella body, Uganda Law Society have condemned acts of re-arresting four people accused of masterminding the Killing of former police spokesperson AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi.
Following their release on bail on Tuesday by Nakawa grade one Magistrate Noah Sajjabi , plain clothed personnel brandishing pistols pounced on Ahmed Ssenfuka one of the suspects before bundling him into a Toyota Corolla vehicle.
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In a statement released on Thursday, Uganda Law Society president Francis Gimara said it was illegal and violation of his rights.
"We condemn in the strongest terms possible this act of lawlessness and we request security forces to review the incident, "Gimara said in a statement.
Without first identifying themselves the three men who were shably dressed but armed with pistols jumped out of the vehicle before they mugged Ssenfuka.
A scuffle then ensued as the unknown people carrying pistols arm-twisted Senfuka while others fidgeted to handcuff him prompting other by -passers to gather around the Spear Motor junction along the Kampala- Jinja road.
However according to Uganda Law Society, authorities should act quickly and hold all individuals involved in the incident accountable for their deeds.
"We find it unacceptable that these arrests were carried out without following the due process and in violation of human rights of the accused persons by unidentified people for unknown reasons. "
According to Uganda Law Society, such acts undermine the independence of the judiciary and rule of law in the country.
In a phone interview with the Nile Post on Tuesday, army spokesperson Brig.Richard Karemire revealed that the re-arrest was a joint operation between security forces.
“It was a joint operation by security agencies and we arrested him(Ahmed Ssenfuka) over cases that are being investigated,”Brig.Karemire told this website.
When asked about carrying out arrests in plain clothes, the army spokesperson said it is legal as long as it is done by security officers.
The re-arrest has since caused a public uproar on the manner in which it was carried out.
The incident also raised concerns on whether wrong elements cannot disguise as security agents to kidnap members of the public.
