Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda has said security personnel involved in alleged human rights violations will suffer the consequences of their own actions.
Rugunda was responding to MP Robert Kyagulanyi (IND, Kyaddondo East), who said his supporters are suffering unexplained abductions and tortures, allegedly at the hands of security officials.
MP Kyagulanyi singled out the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), which is the army’s intelligence arm, and the Col Frank Bagyenda – led Internal Security Organisation (ISO) as being behind the alleged abductions and tortures.
“My question to the Prime Minister is why ISO, CMI and Military Police are taking over the constitutional role of the police in detaining citizens,” said Kyagulanyi.
“I witnessed the knocking dead of one of my supporters in Luweero town called Musa Sekamwa, with my very own eyes; I want to know whether this government’s human rights record is better than that of [former President] Idi Amin who they like to castigate,” he added.
“Comparing the human rights record of this government and that of Idi Amin, I think, is an abuse of the freedom of speech,” responded Rugunda.
He said security operatives found culpable of violating rights of citizens will personally face prosecution.
“The point raised by the Hon Kyagulanyi that security personnel are torturing people…that there are some people in police who misbehave; if somebody has strayed, then the law should take its course,” said Rugunda.
MP Kyagulanyi and his supporters have of late heaped accusations of torture against government security agencies, the recent one being the controversial death of singer Micheal Alinda, better known as Zigy Wine.
Alinda last week succumbed to multiple injuries suffered after a road accident in Kalerwe, a commercial town outside Kampala, according to a Police statement issued by spokesperson, Fred Enanga.
Rwanda
Rugunda also delved into soured relations with neighboring Rwanda, saying efforts between President Yoweri Museveni and his counterpart Paul Kagame would bear diplomatic fruits.
“Uganda and Rwanda are brotherly countries…our two leaders President Kagame and President Museveni are handling this matter,” he said.
Towards the conclusion of his wealth creation tours across the countryside, President Museveni told a public rally in Kisoro District, which borders Rwanda, that the diplomatic spat is being handled at the highest level with between him and President Kagame.
Rwanda closed its border with Uganda last year, claiming it is reconstructing the border post, but it was clear the decision was a consequence of failing diplomacy between the neighboring countries.