Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Bill Oketch
Published on 2024-01-31 16:44:10
Drama unfolded at the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) regional office in Lira City, as its tribunal dismissed a case of human rights violation against the government. The human rights body ruled that the case was wrongly brought against the Attorney General.
The case was filed by six farmers against the Attorney General in 2006 and was based on alleged human rights infringements by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers against eight family members in Oyam District on May 11, 2006. The complainants included Catherine Adur, 47, Charles Odyek, 57, Dorine Awili, 80, Polly Atoo, 32, Bonny Okot, 38, and Margaret Atim. The family, residing in Alee Village, Okwir Parish in Iceme Sub-county, claimed that the incident resulted in the death of their father and child. Cypriano Ayo, the father, died at a private health facility in Lira Town in 2017, while Marino Ogwang died in 2009. They believed that both deaths were the result of injuries sustained after they were allegedly tortured by members of the army.
The family first pursued a case of torture against some individuals at Oyam Central Police Station but then sought assistance from the Uganda Human Rights Commission after experiencing “delayed justice.” The matter came up for hearing, and the tribunal led by UHRC chief Marian Wangadya dismissed the case, stating that “the complainants unfairly sued the Attorney General.” They were subsequently directed out of the tribunal session.
As they left the session room, an 80-year-old grandmother expressed her dissatisfaction and frustration with the decision. She stated, “We’ve wasted a lot of time and resources pursuing this case and now my husband and son have died for nothing. My God will judge you.”
Wangadya noted that any party dissatisfied with the judgment or ruling of the tribunal is at liberty to appeal to the High Court. She further explained that the case was initiated at the tribunal following a fight between brothers over a domestic issue, emphasizing that the incident did not occur while the soldiers were acting in their capacity as UPDF soldiers.
The family members were seeking Shs1 billion compensation from the government for the death of their two relatives and the harm suffered at the hands of UPDF soldiers. However, Wangadya maintained that their judgment was based on Ugandan law and stressed the importance of evidence and the law in deciding such cases.
The dismissal of the case has left the family members feeling disillusioned and disheartened, and they are now contemplating their next steps. The emotional impact of the decision was clearly evident as the family expressed their grievances and frustration with the outcome. The events at the UHRC regional office in Lira City have underscored the complexities and challenges faced in seeking justice for human rights violations in Uganda.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
