By Samuel Opio
Brig. Charles Wacha, the Director in charge of Human Rights Affairs in the UPDF has admitted that the aftermath of the chaos in Arua has had a big impact on the army’s image in regards to human rights.
The army was put in the spotlight over the arrest and alleged torture of 33 people including Members of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi, Kassiano Wadri, Paul Mwiru and Gerard Karuhanga following the violence in which the president’s convoy was alleged stoned.
In their quarterly report about the rule of law in the country, the Uganda Law Society quoting a report by the Parliamentary Adhoc Committee said investigations had found out that a number of people had been tortured by security agencies especially the Special Forces Command.
Speaking at the launch of the report, Brig.Wacha admitted the events had a big impact on the image of the Ugandan army but said something is being done to correct the wrongs.
“It’s true the incidents put the name of the UPDF in bad light and it pains us seeing our officers going astray. These were not institutional actions but for individuals and warrant punishment,”Brig.Wacha said.
There were ugly scenes as the suspects appeared in court limping whereas others had wounds allegedly resulting out of torture by security agencies during and after the arrests.
sopio@spyuganda.com
