Ugandan Armed Forces Meet to find solutions to Illegal Arrests and Torture

Following the many allegations of abductions and torture labeled against security forces in different parts of Uganda, the armed forces including officers from Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda Prisons Services (UPS) have met to discuss prevention of violence, illegal arrests and torture.

In the meeting held at Eureka Palace Hotel located in Ntinda Kampala, the UPDF Director of Human rights Col. Karikona stated that mainstreaming torture concept in forces training institutions will continue to be emphasized to equip the forces with dangers of torture.

“We are all part of the free of torture world and matters of human rights are important to all of us,” Col. Deo Karikona said.

The UPDF Deputy Spokesperson Col. Deo Akiiki, noted that Uganda having ratified the conventions against torture, her security forces are obliged to comply and the institutions of security have done all it takes to ensure compliance including putting heavy punishments on those who do the contrary.

However, Col. Akiiki says that some situations force officers into aggressive behavior to protect themselves.

“Prevailing situations, sometimes justify the ways security responds to civilians because civilians try to harm them in the process of executing their duties,” Col. Akiiki stated.

The officers further mentioned different examples where security operatives also suffer torture at the hands of civilians. Officers cited cases where a soldier lost his eye due to civilian violence, hot oil being poured on soldiers during operations, and incidences where police officers die by stoning, among others.

He called upon the researchers to do due diligence on claimants and work in hand with security agencies to ensure those captured are not looking for political sympathy as it has been sometimes.

It has been identified in the meeting that implementation of alleged illegal arrests by security especially under the orders of RCCs/RDCs, by unknown people, detention beyond 24 hours have become the order of the day.

The director Human rights called upon Ugandans to cooperate with the security agencies and report all those masquerading as security officers who abduct locals over unknown reasons.

“This will strengthen the consortium of Human rights,” he stated.

The meeting was attended by officers from the UPDF, UPF, UPS, departments of intelligence, legal services, information, military police and human rights.