Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-04-08 16:50:32
Relatives of missing supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) provided hearsay testimony to the police investigations team, as most of them were not eyewitnesses to the alleged enforced disappearances, according to a sworn affidavit submitted to court by Ms. Rashida Naluzze, a senior police personnel. Naluzze contended that the government should not be required to account for the 18 missing Ugandans because they are not in their custody.
Naluzze stated that the next of kin of 11 of the missing Ugandans described stories of the arrests as told by unidentified third parties, and some alleged disappearances were never reported to the police, such as the cases of Peter Kirya, Denis Wangolo, Isma Ssesazi, Hassan Mubiru, Joseph Baguma, Denis Zzimula, and Joseph Ssemujju. She also mentioned that the individuals allegedly arrested with some of the missing refused to provide information to the police.
Moreover, Naluzze highlighted instances where the next of kin of the missing persons declined to meet with investigators or became hostile when approached. The missing persons are part of a case filed against the Attorney General by John Bosco Kibalama and 29 others, alleging illegal arrests and detention by security agencies.
Despite reports of the alleged disappearances taking place in broad daylight, none of the witnesses mentioned specific details like registration number plates of security vehicles or identified the security operatives involved. Naluzze also revealed that some of the missing persons were fictitious, further complicating the investigation.
Naluzze is one of the state witnesses objecting to the case regarding the missing Ugandans, who are said to be supporters of Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, the closest contender to President Museveni in the 2021 elections.
In response, the families of the missing Ugandans, represented by PACE Advocates, are seeking a court declaration that the continued incommunicado detention of the 18 individuals is unlawful and violates their fundamental human rights. They are also seeking compensation for breach of their rights and payment for damages.
The High Court has directed both parties to file their evidence by April 24 for the case to proceed. The NUP alleges that most of the missing individuals were abducted before, during, and after the 2021 general election, with additional cases reported in 2022 and 2023.
In conclusion, the case of the missing Ugandans remains a contentious issue, with conflicting testimonies and challenges in the investigation process. The families continue to seek justice and accountability for their loved ones, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing ordeal.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
