The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Lawyers have petitioned the High Court in Kampala demanding the unconditional release of 25 children who were picked by security operatives from Luwero district.
In an application filed before the Kampala Civil Division, the lawyers from Kiiza and Mugisha Company Advocates have sued the Director of Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, Chief of Defense Forces and the Attorney General.
The lawyers contend that the children were picked up from Ibun Hajara Orphanage Centre Namaliga in Bombo at around 1am on August 24. The evidence submitted to court indicates that the children were picked up by operatives driving in a minibus commonly referred to as a drone.
Drones have been synonymous with the rampant kidnaps in the country. According to the affidavit of Salimat Mutale, a lawyer and human rights defender, the applicants are now suffering under illegal detention at Mbuya Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence headquarters.
“Mbuya, Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence headquarters where the applicants are being illegally detained to date is not a gazetted detention facility. The Military/CMI has blocked relatives and family members of the applicants from accessing them,” reads the affidavit in part.
It adds, “no charges have been brought against the applicants in any competent court of law and no explanation has been afforded to their next of kin for their continued illegal detention”. Eron Kiiza, one of the lawyers says that the detention of the applicants is illegal, unlawful and an infringement of their liberty.
URN has since learnt that with the exception of the adults picked from the center, all children are being held at Kyampisi Childcare Ministries in Mukono, which belongs to Pastor Peter Ssewakiryanga.
The Constitution provides that any person arrested should be taken to court within 48 hours such that he or she understands why they are not supposed to be released unconditionally.
The parents and relatives of the children have also since demanded their release saying that they were being taught religion. Earlier on, the Spokesperson of the Criminal Investigations Directorate Charles Twiine, said that the known parents were profiled with their children and told what to do as investigations are ongoing. He refused to reveal when the children would be released to their parents.
The children under custody include; Halimah Kivumbi, Fahimah Kivumbi, Bin Ali Ruhayyah, Sainah Nalubega, Luqumaan Ssegawa, Shafiq Oguutu, Abdulhakiim Ngabirano, Abdulrahman Mugerwa, Abdulrahman Ssozi and Abdulhamiidi Kibugwe.
Others are; Murshid Ssentongo, Ali Aziimu, Marjan Chepkwungon, Hassan Sharifu, Asharifu Ssentogo, Abdulshakur Ssewajje, Sharifu Mulondo , Jaafar Waziri , Abdulrahmaan Muwonge, Imraan Ssesanga , Ismael Sulaiman , Hassan Kirima , Faiswali Muwonge and Abubakri Battemyetto.
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