A total of 10 Police and six military officers have been arrested over aggravated torture of several women and men at Lorokwo West village, Elegu Town Council in Amuru District.
The Police officers include; ASP Richard Balenzi, Sgt. Musaasizi Charles, Cpl. Odong Joseph, PC Opado Moses, PC Opio Augustine, PC Okello Bosco, PC Okello Jimmy, PC Ssentamu Richard, PC Byamukama G, PC Funga Nelson, and PC Busingye Ronald who are being charged with aggravated torture. The military officers include; L/Cpl. Awany Abori Constantine, Pte Makanga Mohammed, Pte Eboku John Mark, Pte Mutenge Robert, Pte Ayo Silvestre and Pte Ahimbisibwe Eria.
The officers said to have used a heavy hand approach to disperse the residents during curfew hours.
“The patrollers kicked doors open and dragged the occupants out and some fell in the muddy surfaces. Several vulnerable women and a few men were injured in the process,” said Police spokesperson Fred Enanga in a statement.
The matter came to the attention of the Anti-Corruption Unit, at State House led by Col Edith Nakalema and a task team was immediately dispatched to the area.
Enanga said a total of 38 victims comprising of 31 female victims and seven males were traced, and their detailed statements have been recorded.
“The leadership of both the UPDF and Uganda Police Force, strongly condemns the outrageous and gross acts of misconduct by the officers, who instead of protecting the constitutional and civil rights of the victims, violated them with the excessive use of force,” said Enanga.
Their trial commences tomorrow Tuesday, March 7, 2020.
