Kampala, Uganda – 8 victims namely; Bob Barigye, Alphonse Nkurunziza, Vicent Lubega Nsamba, Gerald Wenani, David Musiri, Sanya Ivan Elivis, Debbo Sean Tevin and Ssekandi Eric. of police brutality have taken legal action against the Government of Uganda and 10 police officers for violating their human rights. These claim numerous illegal arrests, detentions and others.
The 8 are part of over 192 human rights defenders including youth, students, civil society groups, oil affected communities, and others involved in campaigns with efforts to promote human and environmental rights who have continued to suffer various violations.
The campaigns are aimed at fighting against risky oil activities such as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), the Tilenga oil project, the Hoima refinery oil project, degradation of Bugoma forest, Lakes Albert and Victoria, River Nile, Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP) and thousands of local communities whose land has been compulsorily acquired without fair compensation and or grabbed with impunity.
The victims blame the government specifically police, Resident District Commissioners, the army, and private companies across the country for violating their rights to own land, assemble, demonstrate peacefully, associate, move, etc.
THREE CASES FILED IN COURT
On July 3rd, 2024, 8 human rights defenders filed 3 separate cases at the Uganda High Court in Kampala against Mr. Kiryowa Kiwanuka-Attorney General of Uganda and 10 police officers namely ASP. Nsenge Alex, SGT. Okoth James, ASP. Okoyo Martin, Twinamatsiko Onesmus, PC No. 74183 Wabwire James, PC Wandera Jacob Bwire , ASP Nahamya David, PC Okello (Head of Field Force Unit – FFU at Jinja Road Police Station), ASP Patrick Opiyo and OC Alex Micwemirungi all in their private capacity.
The human rights defenders are seeking a court declaration that the actions of the government and police amounted to torture, brutality, inhuman and degrading treatment contrary to Articles 24 and 44 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda.
They also want court to declare that the police’s obstruction of their peaceful demonstrations was a direct violation of their rights to assemble, associate, and movement, and freedom of speech and expression, as guaranteed by Articles 28 and 29 of the constitution.
An order that the human rights defenders-plaintiffs be entitled to compensation, They also want the court to issue a permanent injunction to halt all illegal actions of the police and the government to allow human rights defenders to do their work freely.
Background of the incidents
Since the discovery of oil in 2006, many human rights defenders in Uganda have continued to suffer various human rights violations. Between 2021 and 2024 alone, over 192 human rights defenders including civil society staff, students, youth, affected communities, and others have suffered gross human rights violations ranging from harassment, intimidation, arrests, detentions, unexplained office vandalism, office closure by the government through NGO Bureau directives and others.
The above legal actions mark a significant step by the citizens and human rights defenders in stopping the shrinking civic space in Uganda. Legal redress will help all citizens to continue the struggle to promote human and environmental dignity.
