The Uganda Human Rights tribunal has awarded a total of shs 70 million to 19 victims in the Eastern Region of Uganda.
The cases included the violation of rights to personal liberty for persons detained beyond 48 hours, violation of the right to freedom from torture, cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment and punishment and violation of the right to life
A tribunal session was on Monday conducted in Soroti Regional office, and presided over by the chairperson of the commission Ms Mariam Wangadya .
The panel also included retired Col Stephen Basalisa, Crispin Kaheru, and Jackie Atuhaire.
Aidah Nakiganda, the Director in charge complaints at the commission, told the Nile post that of the 19 cases, 18 of these cases were reported to the office of the Attorney General, while one case is against the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
The victims, whom the commission in Soroti asked to remain anonymous, were abused between 2023 and 2024 from different parts of the region including Teso, Ssebei and Bugishu.
The others were brutally tortured by the men in uniform while in their custody while others sustained serious and permanent injuries in their bodies.
“I urge the general public to utilize the commission’s regional office at Soroti and the two field offices of Mbale and Kapchorwa Municipality to report complaints of human rights Violations for appropriate redress," Ms Nakiganda said.