A police task force which was set up to track down the people behind acid attacks and the source of the acid appear to be making no breakthrough.
The committee is comprised of the Police, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, the defunct Acid Survivors Foundation Uganda - ASFU, Ministry of Education, URA (Customs), Uganda Batteries and UMA.
The task force is expected to monitor importations of sulfuric, nitric and hydrochloric acid. They are also expected to ensure the deadly substance is diluted before it’s sold to the final users.
The task force is however puzzled by the latest source of acid being used to attack people.
More than 50 people are now in hospital nursing acid burns according to Dr. Robert Ssentongo, the head of the acid unit at Mulago hospital.
The latest victim is Pastor Umar Mulinde of Gospel Life Church, Namasuba, who was in December attacked and defaced by an acid attacker.
Speaking to Uganda Radio Network, the former chairperson of the Taskforce on acid violence, AIGP Asan Kasingye says the committee had registered all people dealing in acid, like acid importers.
Kasingye, currently the head of Interpol, says the committee had put in place a register for acid importers and their contacts and even those of the people to whom they sell their acid.All acid that is imported is supposed to be sold after it has been diluted but the latest attack has pushed the committee to look for the likely source of the acid.
By the end of July 2007, there were 280 acid attack victims registered with the Acid Survivors Foundation - Uganda. Reasons for the attacks range from petty jealousies and greed to business rivalry and even mistaken identity.
Kasingye says since they came up with these measures cases of acid attacks had reduced drastically but is surprised that new cases were coming up again.
Kasingye says though the committee had put registers and forms filled by importers at URA’s Customs department, there is need for continued sensitization.
Kasingye said earlier efforts at sensitization were thwarted by claims that the task force were sounding alarmist. He said a sustained campaign is needed to eliminate acid attacks.
He regretted that the task force had last sat close to one year ago but agreed that such efforts need to be resumed so that all loop holes are closed.Rhonah Babweteera the former Legal Officer at Acid Survivors Foundation – Uganda confirmed their meetings had collapsed when she left the foundation close to three years ago.
