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Pressure mounts on government to arrest ‘investors’ over rape
The chairperson of Network of African Women Ministries Uganda Chapter and Mityana Woman MP Sylvia Namabidde (L) with her deputy Jovah Kamateeka (Mitooma MP) address a press conference over a 23-year-old Ugandan woman reportedly gang-raped recently by Pakistani nationals. The MPs said yesterday police should ensure that the suspects are thoroughly investigated and punished severely on conviction. Photo by Geoffrey Sseruyange
Kampala- Pressure continues to mount on the government to arrest the Pakistani investors accused of raping and sodomising a Ugandan lady.
At least three legislators and a consortium of 24 civil society organisations yesterday urged the government to “move with speed” in apprehending the suspects.
Failure to arrest the suspects, the legislators and the CSOs said separately, would imply the government is more sympathetic to rogue investors than the Ugandans they abuse.
Their remarks come just days after the Daily Monitor ran a story about a 23-year-old Ugandan who was allegedly sexually abused by men said to be Pakistani investors.
Rape condemned
Speaking at Parliament, the legislators Sylvia Namabidde (Mityana Woman), Joova Kamateeka (Mitooma Woman) and Geoffrey Kiwanda (Mityana North) to “thoroughly vet” all the people who claim they have come to invest in Uganda.
“We condemn the rape of an innocent employee by Pakistani nationals and we urge our government to do all it takes to bring the culprits to book,” said Ms Namabidde.
She added: “There is laxity everywhere. Immigrants enter the country freely. This must be checked to ensure the wrong elements never cross into our borders. Those who might have managed to sneak in must be prosecuted and if found guilty, should be handed stiffer sentences to deter them from sojourning in Uganda.” Ms Irene Ovonji, the chief executive officer Uganda Association of Women Lawyers, said the government should live up to its primary duty, which is to protect its citizens.
However, the Minister for Presidency, Mr Frank Tumwebaze, said the critics are not helping when they focus on blaming the government.
“We condemn the rape. Indeed, we also agree it was very bad,” he said. “But making blanket conclusions is not the solution because the core aim of this government is to protect the property and life of its citizens.”
Progress report on suspects
He said were the critics to compare Uganda’s security system with that of other countries, they would appreciate that Uganda’s is better.
Mr Andrew Felix Kaweesi, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, told the Daily Monitor yesterday that the government is already making some progress in arresting all the suspects.
“We have apprehended two of the suspects. Just three are still on the run. But we shall get them.”
He never said when.
The police identified one of the suspects in custody as Mr Mohammed Zahir, the alleged employer of the woman.
Buoyed by Uganda’s overly pro-foreign investors many, including those with no serious business portfolio, have flooded the country and are now even engaged in petty trade. Those with business reportedly make their workers do donkey work for meagre wages.
It takes media exposure of cases such as the recent rape to nudge not only lawmakers, CSOs and the Executive to take note.
Mr Patrick Tumwine, the research and information officer at Human Rights Network Uganda, said Uganda should rethink its laws on foreign investors since a number of them have turned out to be fake.
