Father pins police for allegedly battering son while in custody

Omoro, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The father of a nineteen year old is seeking answers from police in Omoro for allegedly battering his son while in custody.

Patrick Chard Kitara, a resident of Orapwoyo sub county in Omoro district accused police of Omoro central police station of battering Innocent Ojok on Sunday 30th, after Ojok attempted to escape.

Ojok was detained on Wednesday 19th after his in-laws charged him with kidnap under Omoro CRB 237/2021. He had gone to his in-laws’ home to convince his wife Christine Aciro to return to his home after she ran away following a misunderstanding between them.

According to Kitara, Ojok who was in detention for over 48 hours attempted to escape and that when he was caught, police beat him, leaving him with broken ribs and other bodily injuries.

Kitara revealed that on learning that Ojok could die in custody following the severe beating, police released him on bond the following day.

He said they took him to Lalogi health center IV where he was transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor for better treatment and that due to lack of money for paying hospital bills, Ojok was dismissed and taken back home where he is languishing in pain.

Kitara revealed that he reported the matter to the Police Professional Standards Unit in Gulu City but was told to first wait until his son gets better before the matter could be taken up for investigations.

However, Peter Kijali, the Aswa River Region Police Professional Standards Unit Commander says the father of the alleged torture victim has been advised to lodge a formal complain to the Unit so that investigations take place.

****
URN