ugnet_: Torture

[Ed Kironde]

Title: The National Party of Uganda

The National Party of Uganda   Press Release   April 21, 2004   Demonizing Fellow Human Beings   The National Party of Uganda has learnt with great shock such unspeakable and dehumanizing stunts subjected to one Obedi Kiiza by allegedly one Major Charles M. Tabarura who is said to be the administrative officer of Division 2 in Mbarara.  We unequivocally condemn this and other similar acts of abuse and violation of human rights.  Pointing a gun at another subordinate’s head with intent to kill if refused to carry out orders from his peer is also another crime that must be investigated.  While investigations are going on, the alleged suspect must be suspended so as not to tamper with witnesses and victims be given protection and medical attention.  If the allegations are found to be true, the Police officers who obeyed the Major to tie and flog Mr Kiiza are unfit to protect the community.  There must be a line drawn by the law enforcement officers when it comes to serve and protect the community and not to follow orders that violate the rights of an individual.   The moment we stop condemning such barbaric acts committed by people with guns, we sanction their acts.  It is unthinkable that UHRC in Mbarara would plead with the press not to expose rotten apples within the UPDF.  Such drifters set our army adrift.   They must be gotten rid of and punished appropriately when found guilty.   Cc Amnesty International – USA      William Pike – The New Vision      The Editor - Monitor Newspaper      Daniel Kalinaki – The Monitor      Hon Francis Ayume   Edriss s Kironde Founder – The National Party of Uganda   Full Story follows:   Army officer drags escort tied on car By David Kibirige April 21, 2004 MBARARA – The Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence is investigating a senior army officer for alleged torture. Maj. Charles M. Tebarura, the administrative officer of the Mbarara-based 2 Division, allegedly tortured his escort Obedi Kiiza. Mr Kiiza was reportedly tied behind the major’s vehicle and dragged along the road in the division barracks on April 6. Eyewitnesses say it all started when Tebarura travelled to Kampala and left his pistol in his house in the barracks, which he occupies with a civilian relative. When Kiiza, who stayed behind, saw the pistol, he removed it saying civilians could not be trusted with firearms. He handed the pistol back to his boss when he returned on April 6. However, an angry Tebarura accused Kiiza of insubordination for keeping his pistol.He called two regimental police soldiers and ordered them to administer 20 strokes of the cane on Kiiza. After the flogging, Tebarura tied Kiiza’s legs on his double cabin pick-up and ordered the driver, one Komakech, to speed off. When Komakech refused, Tebarura allegedly cocked his pistol, pointed it at his head and threatened to shoot him if he did not follow his orders. Komakech drove the pick-up, dragging the wailing Kiiza along the road in the barracks. Droves of soldiers witnessed the scene in horror. Eyewitnesses say Kiiza was dragged for about 100 metres before Tebarura stopped the gruesome act. The flesh on the soldier’s buttocks and some parts of his legs was torn off. Later, Tebarura ordered the locking up of Kiiza at the quarter guard. The soldiers manning the cells refused saying that Kiiza needed urgent medical treatment. He was rushed to the UPDF hospital in Mbarara where medical personnel said they could not admit him for lack of facilities and that he was in a critical condition. He was then transferred to Mbarara University Teaching Hospital, where he is still lying in pain. Concerned soldiers reported the case to police and the Uganda Human Rights Commission offices in Mbarara. Army spokesman Shaban Bantariza told The Monitor that he was aware of the incident. “I heard about that incident; it is very unfortunate, nobody in the army has the right to torture another,” he said. Asked why Tebarura has not been arrested, Bantariza said: “It is up to the leadership of the second division to make sure action is taken against the administrative officer.” Tebarura refused to comment when contacted yesterday morning. “I cannot talk to you. What you are telling me [the torture] is news to me,” he said. Surprisingly, the UHRC in Mbarara pleaded with The Monitor not to publish the story. A woman who refused to identify herself said, “We are handling that case of Tebarura versus Kiiza. Why don’t you leave that story? We are trying to handle it ourselves. Will you people in The Monitor compensate Kiiza? Leave the storym (” A Public Relations Officer at UHRC headquarters in Kampala said he had not been notified of the complaint but promised it would be handled properly. “If the victim has complained to us then it is already public…,” said Mr Justus Muhanguzi. “But we shall handle it.” The Monitor has learnt that Tebarura later tried to entice Kiiza into dropping the case. Before his transfer to Mbarara, Tebarura was the head of the UPDF School of Political Education in Jinja. The division intelligence officer, Capt. Makanga, is also being investigated for trying to protect Tebarura. In 1992 President Museveni ordered that no soldier had the right to beat another, after some officers were accused of torturing their juniors.   © 2004 The Monitor Publications   --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.573 / Virus Database: 363 - Release Date: 1/28/2004