Former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi has joined the growing list of people to condemn torture meted out against citizens.
The number of cases of torture have been on the rise of late with critical writer, Kakwenza Rukirabashaija who was arrested for abusing President Museveni and Commander Land Forces, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba being the latest victim of torture.
Speaking to journalists at his home in Kololo, Mbabazi said torture is not acceptable and should be condemned by everybody.
“I belong to NRM because I subscribe to principles and laws of the NRM. One of the things we fought for was freedom for our people irrespective of the political opinion you have but also a society ruled by law so that we live in peace with each other. Torture is therefore unacceptable. It is in breach of our law,”Mbabazi said.
The former Minister for Defence said torture was so rampant during the days of Idi Amin since his security agencies didn’t have the capacity to useful rightful means to get information out of suspects but noted in this modern era, it has no place.
“Torture is not a civilized way of doing anything. It was used extensively in Idi Amin’s time and attributed it to their incapability to do an effective job as a state. I believe government of NRM and NRM don’t subscribe to torture. They should continue to condemn it and take strong effective measures to stop it,” he said.
A number of people have come out to condemn torture which is mostly carried out by security agencies on suspects in their custody.
Recently, Samuel Masereka, the NUP coordinator for Kasese district dragged government to court for being tortured after being arrested and detained for more than two weeks.
NUP leaders recently released a list of more than 170 supporters of the party whom they said had been tortured by security agencies after arrest.
President Museveni last year warned security agencies against violations of human rights including torture.
"Why do you beat a suspect? Is it because you are too lazy to interrogate him? Of course these are criminals. The police had done a wonderful job to very well get these people but why spoil it with this nonsense of beating. Even if suspects don’t admit guilt but investigators do their job well, criminals can get convicted," Museveni said.
However, despite the warning, acts of torture have not ceased.
