PRESS STATEMENT POLICE RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS The local media have today carried stories to the effect that Police violated Human Rights of leading personalities in Kanungu District. This follows a case of Arson on the Amusement Park locally known as Kibingo in Kihihi Town Council that belonged to Mr. Karabareme Benson alias Karabu on the 15/7/2014 at around 2330 hours. The complaint was filed at Kihihi Police station on the 16/7/2014 under Crime Report Book (CRB) No. 424/2014 and inquiries instituted by the Police, with technical support of experts from Ferdsult Engineering Services and the Government Analytical Laboratory. The investigating team headed by the Ag. Deputy Director Special Investigation Division gathered evidence that led to the arrest of a prime suspect called Nuwagaba Aziz, who upon interrogation confessed to the act upon being procured by three instigators that included Ali Rugomwa; Turyatemba David; and Drake Atukunda. The three co-suspects were arrested on the 20/7/2014 and jointly charged before the Chief Magistrates Court in Kanungu for Arson. The four accused persons were granted court bail; however, the principal accused Nuwagaba Aziz was re-arrested outside court for re-investigation on allegations of giving false information while recording his confession statement at the Police. He is currently detained at the Special Investigation Division at Kireka pending outcome of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ legal opinion. There are however, some people including the Hon. Prime Minister who have expressed concern over the incident clearly mistaking the action as an act of Human Rights violation. It should be noted that the Police has a duty to observe and respect Human Rights and freedoms in the performance of its functions reason why the other three accused persons were not re-arrested. The principal accused was re-arrested for re-investigation due to the new developments in court where he alleged to have recorded his confession under duress that is a falsehood. The Police action was an investigative strategy enabled to exploit the earliest opportunity to gather evidence and to establish the suspects’ fixed place of aboard since he was not a resident of Kanungu. The actions of the Police were therefore, necessary and legitimate in the defense of Law and Order, and the detection and prevention of crime within Uganda. It will not compromise any such mandate to protect the security interests of all Ugandans at whatever cost. Fred Enanga Press and Public Relations Officer Uganda Police Force
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 08:24:43 +0000
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