The Activists for Change and Inter Party Cooperation leaders have today marked what they called the International Day against Police Brutality with a call on the Ugandan police to end brutality against innocent civilians.
The activists carried placards that read, “I am a victim of police brutality” and “IPC opposes police brutality.”
The International Day against Police Brutality falls on March 15. It first began in 1997 as an initiative of the “Montreal Collective Opposed to Police Brutality” and the “Black Flag group” in Switzerland. The day is linked to an incident in which two children, aged 11 and 12, were beaten to death by the Swiss police.
The activists say they are marking this day due to the harassment and brutality of police and open disregard to the rights of individuals who participate in civic actions.
They add that police abuses are reported countrywide, with often very little or no redress at all from the government.
A limping Kampala Woman MP, Nabilah Naggayi, who was allegedly knocked by a police pick up truck, says they need to highlight the day not for their sakes but for fellow Ugandans.
Naggayi, who is also nursing a fractured right hand, says it is not the physical wounds that pain the most but the threat by police to harm an individual that traumatizes them.
She cites the case last year in which 8 year old Shanita, a pupil of Nakasero primary school was knocked dead by a police van speeding to Kisekka market to quell a riot and police did not even help the grieving parents.
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The activists also add that on March 17, 2010 members of President Museveni's advance team, composed of police officers, intelligence and military officers fired into a crowd gathered at the Buganda Kingdom's Kasubi Tombs, after a fire had destroyed the tombs the previous day. Cornelius Kayanja, Haruna Kakumba, and an unidentified person were killed, and five others injured.
Nyakato Rusoke from Fort Portal and a member of Women for Peace also recalls how in January 2010 while protesting against the composition of the electoral commission, she and others were arrested.
Rusoke reveals that ever since their production before court on January 19th 2010, court has dragged its feet and the case has never taken off. They are now planning to counter sue government for damages and illegal detention.
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On Tuesday next week, a public dialogue on police brutality will be held followed by a petition to the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and the Leader of Opposition Nandala Mafabi. The Inspector General of Police Lieutenant General Kale Kaihura is also expected to present the Uganda Police Force’s stand on the alleged brutality.
However, Asuman Mugenyi, the police spokesperson says the police are not aware of a day known as the International Day against Police Brutality. He adds that if it exists, then they shall also start an international day against political leaders’ brutality on the police force.
