Mr. Lutimba Matovu,
Are these just lies? I mean, is the Holly Clear Headed Movement (HCHM) capable of such atrocities? How does it (the HCHM) differ from Idi Amin and his butchers? And what is the worth of "confessions" obtained in this fashion? What really happened at Kanungu and elsewhere? Do "meat wagons" still operate between Kigali and Kampala? How about those fake accidents?
----Original Message Follows----
From: "Anne Mugisha" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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To: "UNAANET" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
CC: "FedsNet" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [FedsNet] More Torture Techniques
Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2003 16:28:07 -0500
Headlines
MPs compile torture report
By Kennedy Lule
'Victims strip naked'
Members of Parliament will on Tuesday start compiling a report on detainees allegedly tortured by state security agents.
The agents allegedly use snakes and crocodiles to force confessions.
Lawmakers on the Defence and Internal Affairs committee yesterday agreed to start work by scrutinising memoranda received from torture victims held at Kigo prison.
The MPs received more than 20 memoranda from victims allegedly tortured by agents from Operation Wembley, Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and other state security organs.
Eleven members of the committee on Wednesday visited Kigo prison to hear, see and report on torture allegations from inmates.
Their visit to Kigo followed allegations by Mr John Kazoora (Kashari), Mr Michael Mabikke (Makindye East) and Mr Isa Kikungwe (Kyadondo South) in Parliament last week that security agencies extract confessions by using crocodiles, snakes and red ants to threaten and torture their victims.
Mr Joseph Muranga (Busongora North), who led the Kigo delegation, yesterday said that they were stunned and overwhelmed by the level of torture.
He said that inmates showed them their crushed testicles. Some claimed heavy stones had been suspended from their private parts.
Mr Isaiah Imumet (Usuk) said that what he saw and heard in Kigo left him with no doubt that the torture was grave.
Said Mr Imumet: "The victims opened their panties and showed us horrible torture marks."
The MP said that some victims were crippled by the torture and could hardly move their hands or legs.
Others removed their shirts and showed torture marks on their backs inflicted by molten plastic jerrycans and caning, the MP said.
Lt. Dan Mugarura told MPs that he contributed 100 litres of fuel to President Yoweri Museveni's campaign in 2001 but was surprised to find himself labelled a "rebel".
Lt. Mugarura said that he was blindfolded and driven to a 'safe house' where he was dumped into a cage with crocodiles, and he confessed to being linked to exiled colonels Kizza Besigye and Samsom Mande.
Mr Frank Byaruhanga, who campaigned for former presidential candidate Col. Besigye, presented a memorandum on behalf of all torture victims.
A woman from Gulu said that she was gang-raped in Gulu military barracks when she was locked up in the same room with male suspects.
She said some of the detainee rapists were soldiers.
The MPs who visited Kigo prison were Mr David Matovu (Kooki), Mr Nyombi Thembo (Kasanda South), Mr Asansio Kayizzi (Kasanda North), Mr Badru Katongole (Kyaka), Mr Phinehas Katirima (UPDF) and Mr Harry Kasigwa (Jinja Municipality West).
Committee chairman Simon Mayende (Samia Bugwe South) did not go to Kigo and never attended yesterday's proceedings.
February 20, 2003 13:01:36
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