KAMPALA-UGANDA/NEWSDAY: Buganda Road Magistrate’s court on Friday remanded to Luzira prison eight activists who were arrested on Tuesday this week for protesting against the Karamoja iron sheets scandal involving top government officials.
The suspects; Moses Bukenya, Nelson Ndyasiima, Sanyu Najjuma, Sharif Kawooya, Augustine Batanda, Gilbert Nayebare, Shafia Ssegawa, and Teddy Ssemakula are members of the Revolution Against Dictatorship (RAD) and Torture Survivors Movement pressure groups.
On Tuesday, they carried iron sheets, demanding that the government arrests the accused ministers which bring justice to the vulnerable people of the Karamojong sub-region who were the original intended beneficiaries of the iron sheets.
Yesterday Thursday, they were arraigned before the court presided over by grade one magistrate Asuman Muhumuza. Court heard that on March 28, 2023, at Ben Kiwanuka street in Kampala district, the accused persons assaulted assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Flavia Nsimenta a police officer who at that time was executing her duty.
The prosecution led by Jean Nayebare told court that investigations into this matter are still ongoing. But their lawyer Samuel Wanda informed the court that his clients were tortured while in detention and as such they need medication. He added that the suspects have sustained abdominal, chest, and back pains as a result of the beatings while in police custody.
Muhumuza ordered the Uganda Prisons Services to ensure that the suspects access proper medication. He remanded them to Luzira prison until April 12 as investigations continue.
Last month the Karamoja Parliamentary Group formally wrote to the clerk to parliament, Adolf Mwesige notifying him of their intent to file a notice of motion for the censure of the Karamoja Affairs minister Mary Goretti Kitutu.
Although the presidential and foreign Affairs Committee chaired by Adjumani District Woman MP Jesca Ababiku had started probing the scandal, President Museveni also directed CID and the State House Anti-corruption unit to jointly carry out investigations into the scandal.
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