Forum for Democratic Change leader Dr. Kiiza Besigye says he is appalled by the health and sleeping conditions of the nine suspects who were arrested following the March 21st killing of a police officer.
Assistant Inspector of Police John Michael Ariong was reportedly stoned to death during a demonstration in Kampala.
After his court appearance on Tuesday morning, Dr. Besigye visited the nine suspects who were being kept behind the court premises under heavy guard.
He inquired about their health and the conditions under which they were being treated in Luzira prison.
One of the suspects, Kavuma Robert, speaking in the local Luganda dialect says upon arrest he was kicked by police officers and now passes bloody urine, but the prison authorities do not allow him to get any medication from outside the prison.
Kaija Harold, who is also a suspect decried the sleeping conditions, poorly prepared food, though they are sometimes allowed to make their own food. However, he is hopeful that they shall be released, maintaining their innocence.
The suspects also claim that one of their colleagues, KakandeTwalib, was allegedly severely beaten and his health condition is dire.
Kaija says Kakande was only taken to Mulago national referral hospital on Monday because of the court appearance today. He maintains that their spirits are high and when released they shall continue with their activism.
//Cue in: “Whenever you to their…”
Cue out: “…always be doing.”//
Dr. Besigye decried the suspects’ conditions and wondered why the prison authorities are not allowing external prescription and acquisition of medicines. He adds that these human rights issues will be raised in court, Parliament and other places.
//Cue in: “Some of these people were…”
Cue out: “…Parliament and other places.”//
The Uganda Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine, however, says inmates are only allowed external prescribed medicines depending on their health profile. Inmates with special illnesses such as diabetes are allowed while those with manageable illness are given medication by the prisons.
As the court case proceeded, behind the Buganda road court cells, the suspects were allowed to speak to friends, relatives and well wishers through the bars. Items such as clothes, bed sheets, juice and money exchanged hands.
The prison officials ensured that they read every note that was given to the suspects’ relatives and friends.
The nine are charged together with Dr. Kizza Besigye, Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, Kawempe Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa and Ingrid Turinawe, the FDC women’s league chairperson and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
