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Nakasongola, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Officer in Charge of Lwampanga police station in Nakasongola has been accused of allegedly torturing a suspect in police cells.
Joel Bikuta is accused of torturing Stanley Kalema, aged 29 years, a resident of Kikaraganya trading centre.
Kalema explains that on August 12, he was arrested at around 10pm and put in cells at Lwampanga police station for breach of curfew guidelines. He adds that while in cells at around midnight, he asked to be taken out to answer nature’s call but the policemen on duty refused.
Kalema adds that OC Bikuta stormed the cells and resorted to beating him using an electric wire saying that he was attempting to escape.
According to Kalema, he sustained multiple injuries on his hands, back and chest. Kalema also alleged that he had to pay a bribe of 100,000 shillings to Bikuta to release him.
On Monday, Kalema with help of local leaders filed a complaint at Nakasongola police station seeking an investigation of Bikuta over torture and extortion.
But Bikuta denies torturing Kalema saying he sustained the wounds during a scuffle with a friend while in a bar before he was arrested.
Bikuta alleges that Kalema’s complaint is motivated by Nakasongola district vice chairperson Samuel Tingira who owns a bar where Kalema was arrested from.
He says that Tingira also called him after he detained Kalema and three others from the bar threatening to deal with him for infringing on the freedoms of his clients.
Bikuta says that he is not bothered with complaints and will defend himself when summoned.
Tingira says that his intervention was only to ensure that a resident gets justice and denied owning a bar. Tingira has asked police to investigate Kalema’s complaints.
Sam Kigula, the LCV chairperson of Nakasongola has also condemned the alleged torture of suspects saying it’s inhumane and asked DPC to take action against the officer involved.
Phillip Mukasa, the Nakasongola District Police Commander was unavailable to comment on the complaint. Isah Ssemwogerere, the Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson said he is waiting for a report on the matter.
Recently, President Yoweri Museveni warned security personnel against torturing suspects.
Museveni said he’s going to sensitize the security forces against these abuses and those who will refuse to reform will be dealt with.
According to section 4 (1) of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2020, a person who performs any act of torture commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for fifteen years or to a fine of three hundred and sixty currency points or both.
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