SECURITY: Museveni warns forces on torture

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has warned security forces against torturing people.

Speaking on Saturday at Nakasero State Lodge, Museveni said nobody should be in the uniform if he doesn’t respect the people of Uganda.

“Don’t bark at people that are not a people’s army, don’t beat people even criminals you are not allowed to beat anybody, not even the children. There shouldn’t be any killing of Ugandans for any reason other than during fighting,” said Museveni.

During his address, pictures of tortured suspects accused of attempting to assassinate Gen. Katumba Wamala were showed. Museveni said by torturing such suspects, it weakens cases in courts of law.

“Why do you beat a prisoner because you are too lazy to interrogate him. These are criminals, the torture was bad but the mistake they did was bigger, they killed our children but these confused people are damaging the good job done by the police and now they spoil it with the beating,” Museveni said.

He added that confessions from the criminals are not necessary if the investigators do their job well by collecting evidence enough to have them found guilty. Museveni also condemned a group of UPDF soldiers in Somalia who he said killed people because they were annoyed after they had been ambushed. Museveni said those who killed these people are going to be arrested.

“The NRM never believes in revenge, no killing of prisoners, no assassinations, the NRM is sure that whatever we do is correct. By killing opponents, you create permanent enmity with people who support him and you make those people heroes. All the people who have been fighting us have been defeated politically. So, assassinations are bankrupt methods used by people who are not sure of their logic and truthfulness,” said Museveni.

The President also warned against holding people in prisons beyond the time provided for under the law. “Jails are not safe custody for people,” added the President.

According to the law, a person cannot be held beyond 48 hours before they are presented before a court of law to be charged, however, many police stations across the country hold suspects for more than the 48-hour threshold.

Museveni said he’s going to sensitize the security forces against these abuses and those who will refuse to reform will be dealt with, with a firm hand.

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