Prime
Stop stick-wielding police goons now
On April 12, both police and masked goons flogged supporters cheering Opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye as he returned from protest prayers at the FDC party headquarters in Najjanankumbi in Kampala.
The next day, Mr Abbas Byakagaba, the Kampala Metropolitan Police commander, while shrugging off any link of the force to the goons, said he had ordered his head of investigations department to probe the group. That investigation – assuming it was conducted – came to naught.
Last month, while investigating the goons, this newspaper learnt that the masked men are operatives and informers of police code-named “Team No Sleep”, and that they are also paid for their services! The police spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga, admitted thus: “There is nothing wrong when they participate in any police operations. Worldwide, police work with informers and other volunteers.” Mr Enanga, however, condemned their crude actions.
Again on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the same scenes played out as boda boda cyclists and supporters followed Dr Besigye. Video clips and images of citizens being lashed, struck, and kicked by security operatives are grotesque.
In November 2015, the New Vision newspaper quoted President Museveni: “Why should a police officer beat up a civilian? Even barking at a civilian is not good. If a civilian becomes violent, handcuff him. Beating civilians is unacceptable to NRM. That behaviour belongs to different era.”
The Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act, 2012 makes significant reference to Articles 24 and 44(a) of the Constitution, which call for the respect of human dignity and protection from inhuman treatment by prohibiting and preventing any form of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The law is therefore very clear, and the President has echoed this. Yet the manner in which Ugandans are being clobbered by these outlaws using electric cables, batons and sticks speaks of a country whose law and order enforcers have chosen to operate outside the Constitution. This is unacceptable.
It is also more disturbing that police are comfortable or seem to be so, to work with these well built men in lashing Ugandans.
This ruthless torture of citizens must be brought to an end and the Inspector General of Police, who has so far acted indifferent to the matter, must either step up to his constitutional duty or step out. All citizens are equal and must be treated with dignity irrespective of political inclination.
The issue: Police brutality
Our view: This ruthless torture of citizens must be brought to an end and the Inspector General of Police, who has so far acted indifferent to the matter, must either step up to his constitutional duty or step out. All citizens are equal and must be treated with dignity irrespective of political inclination.
