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Lawyers want independent body to check errant officers who abuse human rights
Police officers were captured in a video whipping people celebrating Dr. Besigye’s release
The image of Uganda’s Police Force continues to get soiled because of acts of violation of human rights that are masterminded by the men in uniform.
The latest humiliation to the force comes after police officers were captured on video beating supporters of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader Dr. Kizza Besigye this week as he was heading to his home in Kasangati following his release from Luzira prison where he has spent two months on remand.
Dr. Besigye was remanded in May, even though he had not been declared winner by the Electoral Commission
Mukono municipality MP Betty Nambooze described police’s actions as part of the force’s growing impunity.
Nambooze posted on her facebook page that: “Why are we being so patient with this regime…what justification can one give for this impunity….I have lost sleep over scenes of “Police” beating up people on Kampala streets.”
Retired Bishop of Kampala Rev. Dr. Zac Niringiye also condemned the police’s human rights violations.
Writing on his facebook page, Dr. Niringiye said:
“STATE AUTHORITIES SHOULD DESIST FROM ACTIONS THAT ABUSE CITIZENS RIGHTS AND DISRUPT PEACE!”
The video was captured by several media houses including NBS TV and Bukedde.
Police’s deputy spokesperson Polly Namaye said the institution is investigating the incident.
She said: “The Uganda Police Professional Standards Unit (P.S.U) is investigating an incident in which some Police officers are alleged to have assaulted members of the Public along the road to Kasangati yesterday 12th.17.2016”
Namaye added: “The Department has written to NBS T.V Management to avail the Police with a copy of the video to enable the investigators identify the officers involved, and evidence of what transpired. The video will also help the Police to identify some members of the public who were affected in this particular incident.”
It is not the first time the Police has been linked with openly supporting groups of ‘goons’ beating people for no apparent reason.
Perhaps due to lack of independence of the Police Standards Unit, the Uganda Law Society (ULS) asked government to create independent police complaints board that is capable of holding the police force and other security agencies to account in case they commit crimes against civilians or go against the law.
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