By Jennifer Acheng and Alexander Okori
Kotido district on Thursday joined the rest of the World to Commemorate the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture with demands for effective enforcement of Ant-Tortures Laws and free and fair elections taking centre stage.
The event organized by the African Center for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) in partnership with ADRA, Strong Minds and other anti-torture organizations was held at Kotido Youth Centre under the theme “A Torture and Violence-Free Election for All by All”.
This celebrations attended by community members, district dignitaries and human rights advocates, underscores ACTV’s dedication to fostering a supportive environment for survivors and advancing human rights education.
Electrifying performances from pupils of Lomukura primary school and other community groups played a crucial role in raising awareness through performances that educated the community about the impacts of torture.
Alex Kigoyi, ACTV head of program said the aim of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture observed every year on June 26, is to speak out against the crime of torture and to honour and support victims and survivors of torture throughout the world.
‘Uganda being a signatory to United Nations, recognizes this day because it’s the day where were all come together to remember people who have been tortured and to reaffirm our commitment to fight acts of torture”, Kigoyi noted.
He highlighted that ACTV offers a wide range of services, including legal aid, medical treatment, physiotherapy, and psycho-social support to torture survivors.
“Through holistic care, strategic partnerships, and community engagement, ACTV continues to make a profound impact, in advocating for a world free from torture and upholding human dignity,” explained Kigoyi.
Without giving exact statistics, Kigoyi stressed that Karamoja sub-region as one of the regions with high prevalence rate of torture perpetuated by state agencies such as the army, police and non-state agencies, attributing it to poor enforcement of Anti-Torture Law.
He lamented that despite Uganda having a robust legal framework including the 1995 Constitution, the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act, and various electoral laws, the implementation is very poor.
“Section 2 of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act criminalises all forms of torture. However, enforcement is often lax, allowing impunity to thrive,” Kigoyi noted
According to him, these laws are routinely flouted, particularly during election periods.
Santos Peter Lomongin, the Uganda Human Rights Commission officer in charge of Kotido branch, underscored the need for political actors, security agencies, and the general public to commit to peaceful and torture-free elections.
While acknowledging improvements in Uganda’s electoral process, Lomongin decried the persistent incidents of election-related violence and torture.
He emphasized the need for the security agencies to adhere to constitutional and international human rights standards throughout the electoral process.
“Security operatives to operate with restraint, professionalism and absolute respect for human rights. Security must not come at the cost of human rights”, Lomongin urged.
He also reminded the political actors to foster dialogue, exercise tolerance, and refrain from inciting violence while soliciting for votes.
Calisto Longole, the Kotido District Community Liaison Officer, condemned the continued practice of torture in some communities, highlighting that it comes in many forms, including physical, psychological, and emotional.
He further raised concerns over the reluctance of community members to provide information, which he says hampers efforts to bring perpetrators to book.
Meanwhile John Magezi Lukooki, the Kotido Deputy Resident District Commissioner, issued a stern warning to “errant” security operatives in Karamoja sub-region against torturing civilian.
Without delving into specific cases publicly, Magezi revealed that his office has received numerous complaints accusing security operatives in the Karamoja sub-region of allegedly torturing civilians arrested in connection with illegal firearms.
He cautioned that those found torturing civilians would face legal consequences for their individual actions under Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act, 2012.
Speaking as a chief guest, Eunice Akullu, the Kotido Chief Magistrate, called on security forces to uphold the rights and dignity of all citizens in the execution of their duties.
Akullu urged the public to become whistleblowers and report cases of abuse without fear, noting that acts of torture tend to thrive behind closed doors and in the dark.
Akullu highlighted the need for Ugandans to fight “the creeping culture of impunity” by avoiding acts such as arbitrary arrests, harassment, gender based violence , intimidations and arbitrary detentions, which are sometimes occasioned by mere impunity.
Responding to the allegations of army torturing civilians in the ongoing Usalama Kwa Wote disarmament exercise, Major Isaac Oware, the 3rd Infantry Division Army Spokesperson stated that the army condemns acts of torture among their officers and that anyone found engaging in such acts would be arraigned in courts of law.
