ugnet_: Security use snakes to force confession

[Matekopoko]

Security use snakes to force confessions

By Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda

MPs claim even crocodiles used

Security organs are using snakes and crocodiles to make treason suspects confess, Parliament heard yesterday.
The treatment of suspects detained in alleged torture chambers dominated debate as Parliament resumed work from a long Christmas and New Year holiday.
Kashari MP John Kazoora informed the House that he had received reports that suspects are dumped into cages of snakes and crocodiles.
“As Parliament, we must do something,” Mr. Kazoora said.
Holding a copy of the latest Uganda Human Rights Commission magazine, Kazoora drew the attention of Speaker Edward Ssekandi to “unconstitutional arrests and detentions that happened during the recess”.
His submission was supported by Tororo County MP Geoffrey Ekanya.
Mr. Ekanya began on rather a low tone but turned angry and spoke with a lot of energy when it came to arrests.
He said most of the people arrested belong to the Reform Agenda, a political pressure group formed by supporters of former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye.
A visibly furious Mr. Ekanya said in some cases, the suspects' private parts are exposed before they are tortured.
Makindye East MP Michael Mabikke got on to a rather bad start when Aruu MP Odonga Otto suggested disciplinary action against him for bragging about “interfering” in Kenya elections.
Mr. Mabikke redeemed himself when he addressed himself to the issue of torture that is allegedly going on in the ‘safe houses’.
Mr. Mabikke said Ugandans had hope in the Movement and that it is very unfortunate that the regime is slowly following in the footsteps of former president Idi Amin.
“It has surpassed¼,” chorused some MPs.
Mr. Mabikke spoilt things for himself again when he alleged that the 23 percent budget cut from ministry budgets was used to buy snakes and crocodiles.
Minister of Defence Amama Mbabazi raised a point of order and asked Speaker Ssekandi whether Mr. Mabikke was in order to allege that the extra budget provision extended to the Defence ministry was for establishing cages and to fill them with snakes.
Mr. Mabikke replied by telling Mr. Mbabazi that most “of these things happened when the minister was busy in Kinkizi West campaigning against himself”.
Mr. Mbabazi’s supporters in Parliament got angry with Mr. Mabikke, and the first to protest with a point of order was Victoria Sebagereka (Kayunga). Because no ruling had been made about Mr. Mbabazi’s earlier point of order, hers was simply ignored.
Mr. Isa Kikungwe (Kyaddondo South) came to the rescue of his Democratic Party colleague and said Lt. Dan Mugarura had the worst of his life during detention.
He said Lt. Mugarura remained blindfolded for four nights before his tormentor unleashed red ants unto him.
He said the man was finally ushered into a room with big snakes ready to bite and he accepted working with Besigye.
Mr. Mbabazi denied that such things were happening. He said although he doesn’t believe in the story, he would investigate it.
National Political Commissar Dr. Crispus Kiyonga said he was in touch with some senior Reform Agenda activists and that they admit that some of their members support violence.


February 12, 2003 12:41:50