KAMPALA – The Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, Dr Livingstone Ssewanyana, has revealed that the United Nations Human Rights Council will soon meet to discuss the violation of human rights in the country.
Addressing journalists at Lubaga Hospital on Wednesday, shortly before Bobi Wine attempted to leave the country, Dr Ssewanyana said the UN is investigating the torture cases against the MPs and others in Arua and a report will be tabled for discussion in Geneva, Switzerland on September 10 and later be discussed in New York on October 17.
“UN where Uganda duly subscribes to is closely investigating what is happening Uganda and I will make a report which will be tabled at the general assembly for discussion about the torture of MPs, journalists and other people by the security personnel because they violated human rights,” he said.
He said Uganda is a member of the UN and any violation of UN principles attracts global attention.
“The insecurity that is stemming from the violation of human rights has become a concern for everyone world over; they cannot be kept to Uganda. There are many unanswered questions out there and the world needs answers. These incidents have become of great concern to us,” he said.
MPs Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality), Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine (Kyadondo East), Gerald Karuhanga (Ntungamo) Paul Mwiru (Jinja East) and Kassiano Wadri(Arua Municipality) were beaten up after being arrested by police and the military on allegations of inciting violence ahead of the Arua by-election.
Dr Ssewanyana said the officers who were behind the torture should be arrested and or persecuted.
“The army and police ought to instil discipline in their men. Those who beat up MPs, journalists and Ugandans need to be exposed and brought to book. They were playing on people’s lives and that cannot just go unpunished. We need government to come out on this,” he said.
