Author - Thomas Aquinas LOKOL

The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has confirmed that at least 10 of its warders are currently in custody, facing allegations of torturing inmates.

This information was disclosed by UPS spokesperson Frank Baine, who reiterated the service’s zero-tolerance policy towards torture.

Baine emphasized that the Uganda Prisons Service does not internally handle cases of torture involving its officers. Instead, they are referred directly to the criminal justice system.
“Torture is a matter of law in Uganda,” Baine stated, highlighting the seriousness with which these allegations are treated.

“And when it happens, it is not even the Prisons to prevail on the perpetrator; the matter goes to court. We have over 10 inmates behind bars over torture of inmates,” Baine remarked.

Follow the full story here https://thestandard.co.ug/2024/07/24/uganda-prisons-confirms-detention-of-10-warders-for-torturing-inmates/

Police arrest security guard filmed flogging man in viral video

Police have arrested two men including a security guard who appeared in a viral video – flogging a confined man atop a building in Kampala, authorities said on Tuesday.
http://Police have arrested two men including a security guard who appeared in a viral video – flogging a confined man atop a building in Kampala, authorities said on Tuesday. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/police-arrest-security-guard-filmed-flogging-man-in-viral-video-46466288

As one of the ways to fight against torture, the Chief Executive Officer at African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) Samuel Nsubuga recommends to the parliament to consider prioritizing the enactment of Wittiness Protection Act and National Legal Aid Bill to mitigate the lived experience of fear among rights holders to report torture and promote accessibility to justice and accountability by relevant institutions respectively.

He adds that the ministry of health should also consider developing rehabilitation standards and indicators for victims and survivors of torture and monitor their utilization across national health facilities since access to justice includes access to timely treatment and rehabilitation.

“There are already engagements taking place between ACTV and the ministry of health especially with the department on rehabilitation and mental health division” Nsubuga said. For more follow https://parrotsug.com/parliament-asked-to-enact-witness-protection-law-to-enable-public-to-report-torture/

The training focused on effective utilisation of the Prevention & Prohibition of Torture Act (PPTA) of 2012 & The 2017 Regulations thereto.