12 police officers arrested for alleged torture in Lango

Lango, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | 12 police officers have been arrested in Lango sub-region for allegedly torturing and extorting money from civilians during the implementation of the curfew.

Three officers arrested from Otuke district include the OC Station Ogwete Police outpost Julius Ocen, Patrick Ameny and constable Boniface Owiny. They are being detained at Otuke Central Police Station.

Robert Abak, the Otuke RDC says that they received several complaints from the public who accuse the suspects of raiding their homes, beating them and extorting unspecified amount of money from businessmen.

In Lira, a total of 6 officers were arrested and among them is Constable Terec Okello a police officer attached to Starch Factory B police outpost in Adyel division, Lira Municipality who was arrested on Tuesday together with his son and detained at Lira central police station.

The duo had stolen motorcycles registration number UDY 865A and UEF523W which were impounded last week by police. The motorcycles which were parked in a store at Angweta-angwet police outpost store went missing on Monday night prompting the police to use a sniffer dog.

At Onywako police post in Bar sub-county Lira district, two police officers are under investigation for allegedly beating up family members from their homes during curfew time.

The other three officers under investigation are attached to Ojwina police outpost in Lira Municipality.

In Apac, two police officers were arrested for beating up civilians in Atera Ranch while another was arrested for shooting up a civilian in Chegere sub county.

Michael Odongo, the North Kyoga police spokesperson condemned the incidents of torture saying investigations into the matter are on-going.

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