KAMPALA- Human rights activists remain resolute in their pursuit of justice for alleged anti-corruption victims of sodomy in police custody, despite the Police’s repeated denials of allegations.
The claims were first made by activist and cartoonist, Jim Spire Ssentongo, who, through his X post claimed that some of the released protesters had complained of being sodomized and beaten up by officers.
“Some of the released boys say that they were subjected to anal rape (‘sodomised’) by police officers while in custody.” Spire posted. However, the police spokesperson, Kituuma Rusoke deemed the claims as false and unfounded.
“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,” Rusoke said.
Rusoke has appealed to the alleged victims to report the matter to Police for Investigation. We call upon those who say they are victims to come out and report to us , instead of talking on social media.” Rusooke noted.
However, Alex luswa Lulenzi, a human rights activist, and member of Gen.Z Uganda chapter, has told this publication that, most of the people who were sodomized are few that were not produced in court on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Not that all people who were arrested during the Tuesday and Wednesday protests were produced on the same day. These are our colleagues whose families and lawyers were not allowed access to them, and they spent nights in the police cells.” Lulenzi said.
Tomas Bagonza, the President of Gen.Z Uganda Chapter noted the sodomy on people who were arrested during the anti-corruption protests concerns are part of the issues they have raised to the Ugandan Human Rights Commission- UHRC for probing and taking action.
“If the Police Spokesperson wants evidence, he should wait for it, we have presented it to the Uganda Human Rights Commission. We know the commission might not do anything. We’re ready to further our concerns to the High court, and other Human rights institutions worldwide on this issue.” Bagonza said.
Dozens of Ugandans have in the past days been arrested for participating in anti-corruption protests which the police deemed illegal. On Wednesday, over 50 protesters were remanded for their participation in the protests.
