The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has arrested the officer who commanded the military personnel that brutalized Makerere University students during the ongoing protests over the 15% tuition increment.
According to the army spokesperson, Brig. Richard Karemire, Capt. Richard Lubeere has been arrested and detained at Makindye military police headquarters as investigations commence.
“A board of inquiry headed by Lt.Col. Richard Okumu has been set up to investigate the matter,”Brig.Karemire told this website.
Following the nasty protest against the 15 percent cumulative tuition policy approved by the university council last year, a combined security operation by both the police and the army launched an onslaught that saw a number of students arrested.
As the demonstration escalated, security personnel were seen forcing themselves into the university halls where a number of students were either severely beaten or arrested or both.
Videos that leaked showed the military forcing the students to undergo some drills as they were being wiped, gestures that attracted wide condemnation.
A number of people have since come out to decry the manner in which security forces handled the protesting students.
President Museveni early this week wondered who had ordered the military to be deployed a Makerere, before ordering for their withdrawal.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission said the security forces sunk too low while handling the protesting students.
“The commission is appalled by the use of unwarranted excessive force by the security personnel leading to violation of rights of students and journalists covering the incidents,”the commission said in a statement.
“The mayhem created when security raided some halls of residence in the university during the night was to say the least appalling. We also take note of the students who sustained injuries and property lost during the violent arrests by security.”
