Gen Elly Tumwine, the Minister for Security has admitted before Members of Parliament the existence of safe Houses. Gen Tumwine however, told MPs on the Human Rights Committee that they cannot access them.
Tumwine, was appearing before the committee on Wednesday, 28 August 2019. He said that for security considerations, the committee cannot be permitted to visit any of the safe houses.
“There are areas which for security reasons this committee cannot visit. If a witness who is scared of his colleagues who are criminals runs to the state for protection, would it be wise or in public interest to reveal the whereabouts of such a person?” Tumwine stated.
He further added that the safe houses are for keeping witnesses who are helping or supporting the government in its intelligence work and investigations.
He instead referred members to the constitutional provisions where relatives of those suspected to be detained in safe houses can report to police and or approach Uganda Human Rights Commission.
This didn’t go down well with legislators who were concerned that they may not execute their mandate as assigned by the Speaker of Parliament. The Speaker had earlier directed the committee to investigate reports about illegal detention, torture and death in ungazetted safe houses.
Tumwine further dismissed all false reports that some people had been tortured or killed in the safe houses.
