The Joint Security Task Force on handling coronavirus has vowed to take serious disciplinary action against a group of police and UPDF officers[arrested] who brutalised a group of women at Elegu border.
The women were on Friday, April 3 rounded up in a lodge owned by the chairperson of the Cross Border Traders Cooperative, Auma Margaret.
According to Auma, Police, and LDUs in Elegu allegedly pulled out women and some men from their homes, beat, and forced them to roll in the mud after asking them to put off their clothes. Some were allegedly asked to rub the mud in their private parts as the officers, laughed at them.
“Using a heavy handed approach to disperse the occupants, the patrollers kicked doors open and dragged the occupants out and some fell in muddy surfaces. Several vulnerable women and a few men were injured in the process,” according to the Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga.
The images that went viral on social media depicted the women and men nursing several injuries all over their bodies, attracting sympathy from members of the public but also condemnation of the security forces for torturing the locals.
Consequently, the State House Anti-Corruption unit headed by Lt.Col. Edith Nakalema got to know of the matter and dispatched a team to investigate it.
According to the Police spokesperson, a total of 38 victims were traced, interviewed and they pinned the Police and army officers over the torture.
“One of the male victims identified as Charles Kuma Adigoli suffered significant injuries of a fractured arm and is admitted at the 4th Divisional Hospital at its headquarters in Gulu whereas the rest of the victims had obvious injuries,” Enanga said.
“They were further subjected to medical examination and will continue receiving the best possible support as we fast track their matter to the courts of law.”
The police publicist said that after interrogation of the victims, 16 army and police officers were consequently arrested.
He named the 10 police officers as ASP Richard Balenzi, Sgt. Musaasizi Charles, Cpl. Odong Joseph, PC Opado Moses, PC Opio Augustine, PC Okello Bosco, PC Okello Jimmy, PC Ssentamu Richard, PC Byamukama G, PC Funga Nelson and PC Busingye Ronald and are being charged with aggravated torture.
Enanga said that the army officers include officers include; L/Cpl. Awany Abori Constantine, Pte Makanga Mohammed, Pte Eboku John Mark, Pte Mutenge Robert, Pte Ayo Silvestre and Pte Ahimbisibwe Eria who will be arraigned before the General Court Martial on Tuesday, March,7.
