Kasese NUP coordinator says he was tortured

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Samuel Masereka, the coordinator of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Kasese District has narrated to the press his ordeal at the hands of security personnel after he was detained at Kasese Central Police Station last month.  He narrated what happened to him during a press conference at the party headquarters in Kamwokya on Monday.

According to Masereka, he was abducted by armed men on December 7th, 2021, and taken to Kasese Central Police Station from where he was blindfolded and driven to a place he said he later learnt was the headquarters of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence in Mbuya.

Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga has however told journalists that Masereka who is claiming torture, has never reported any case to the police for an investigation. He said that they don’t know anything regarding his torture claims.

At the press conference, Masereka, who looked weak, said that he was interrogated about the activities of NUP, their source of funds, and their plans. He claims that he was electrocuted and beaten to an extent of losing consciousness.

He says his continued plea to be released or taken to the court if indeed he had committed any crime didn’t yield results.

Masereka says for the over 20 days that he was in the custody of security, the torture never stopped. Masereka, who was helped to walk and sit to address journalists, had healing scars on the back, stomach, and legs.

His feet were swollen and bore wounds, he says were inflicted on him by his tormentors. He said that after beating him and leaving marks on his body, they would return the next day and use their big boots to step them. Masereka says there are multiple members of the opposition who are in such a condition in custody. He was released last week on January 28th, 2022.

NUP party Spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi condemned torture by security. He says several NUP supporters have been arrested and tortured and many are still in jail without appearing in court.

Ssenyonyi says NUP is not a rebel organisation but rather a political party, which uses its leaders to mobilize support and register new members. He Masereka, was not reported to have done anything Illegal, when he was taken to Kasese Police station.

He says it has become a custom of government security agencies to abduct, illegally detain and torture NUP members across the country.

Ssenyonyi says that they are documenting such events and shall use them as evidence in the courts of laws including the International Crimes Court, He said NUP want President Museveni, his son, and Commander Land Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba and other top security personnel prosecuted over allegations of crimes against humanity.

The developments come a week after Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka told delegates at the UN Human Rights Council that there were no extrajudicial killings in Uganda and no torture of suspects by security personnel. But delegates from Norway and Netherlands raised concern over abductions and the use of brutal force by security while handling civilians.

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URN