Street Law Uganda, an emerging human rights body is threatening to sue government for the continued detention of 20 people who were arrested for their alleged involvement in the pro-Mengo riots in 2009.
The riots in which more that 20 people were killed in September 2009, broke out after government blocked Kabaka Ronald Mutebi from visiting Bugerere County. Several protestors were arrested in various parts of the central Uganda for their involvement in the riots and remanded to prison.
Street Law Uganda claims the riot suspects are languishing in jail. A list of suspects obtained from Street Law Uganda cites Kakembo Elisa Mujuni, Mohammed Sekatawa, Meddie Nsubuga, Emmanuel Muteesaasira and Kandada Nsubuga as some of the suspects still in jail. Others are Paul Kikulwe, Gerald Kagga, Musa Ssengendo, Hakim Lwanga and Muzafaru Mugisha.
Solomon Webale Araali, the Executive Director, Street Law Uganda says that the families of the riot victims have asked his office to secure their release. He argues that the continued detention of the suspects without trial is a violation of the human rights and breaches the constitution of Uganda.
Webale explains that Street Law Uganda is negotiating with four city advocates to provide free legal services to the detained suspects to secure their release. He says that they want to challenge that terrorism charge that was preferred against the suspects by the state.
// Cue in: “There are not terrorists….”
Cue out: “……terrorizing the population.”//
Peter Nyombi, the Attorney General has not yet commented on the matter.
On Saturday, Street Law Uganda launched a nationwide campaign to sensitize the general public about human rights violations in regard to detention of suspects without trial and access to bail.
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