U.S. Govt to Uganda: Probe allegations of sexual assault in detention centres
By Executive Editor
The United States government has asked the Ugandan government to probe allegations of individuals assaulted in detention.
This week, over 100 protesters were arrested across the country. They were pecefully walking to Parliament when they were intercepted, arrested, and detained in the different centers across the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
However, it came off that some were sodomized and dropped off in the night.
Can someone @PoliceUg issue a statement about this sodomy allegation of suspects arrested during #March2Parliament? The silence makes it look true, and this kills some of us associated with the institution. I beg, issue a statement now—AIGP Rtd. Asan Kasingye.
The police have since denied these claims.
“Your accusations against the Uganda Police Force (UPF) are unfounded and appear to be part of an ongoing propaganda campaign against the institution.
The police are very conscious of the rights of suspects and take their responsibilities seriously.
We implore you to desist from spreading false narratives and misleading propaganda that only serves to tarnish the reputation of the police force.
Spreading malicious lies and baseless allegations is highly unprofessional and unethical.
Instead, we urge you to work constructively with the UPF to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all citizens.
The police are committed to maintaining high standards of integrity and professionalism in service of the Ugandan people. Unfounded attacks only undermine this important work,” said Police Spokesman Rusoke Kituuma.
Activist Jimmy Spire Ssentongo had said that “some of the released boys say that they were subjected to anal rape (‘sodomized’) by police officers while in custody. Another NUP young man raised the same complaint upon release recently, on top of his teeth also being knocked out.
So a government that claims to fight homosexuality, uses anal rape as a form of torture! How did we get here! @PoliceUg when did you become a sodomising institution!!! How does a male police officer get turned on, lower his uniform pants, and force a young male suspect to bend over for him to work his rectum!!! A Ugandan police officer sodomising as duty!!!?
However, in a statement, the U.S. government said that “anyone detained has a right to free hearing and safe treatment.”
They urged the government to investigate the matter and hold perpetrators accountable.
