KAMPALA – Security agencies have failed to produce before the court a police informer who has been in detention for four months.
Hassan Mutyaba, formerly working with the Police Flying Squad, was arrested on April 25 by armed men from Namungoona, a Kampala suburb.
On May 9, High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana directed the Attorney General, the Director-General of Internal Security Organisation (ISO), the Inspector General of Police and the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence to produce Mr Mutyaba before court on August 16.
However, when the matter came up on Friday, Mutyaba’s lawyer, Mr Benard Mabonga told court that the accused government agencies did not comply with the orders.
The submission compelled Justice Ssekaana to issue another order to have Mutyaba released.
“It is hereby ordered that the applicant (Mutyaba) be immediately released from illegal detention,” Justice Ssekaana ordered.
Lawyers and family members say that since his arrest, Mutyaba has never been arraigned before any court or charged with any offence.
The court order followed an application in which Mr Mutyaba through his lawyers of M/s WEB Advocates sought for a Habeas Corpus and Subjiciendum.
Lawyers describe the arrest and subsequent detention of Mr Mutyaba as a curious case since he was taken in custody in April this year to date without a charge.
A source who declined to be named revealed the victim was kept in a safe house in Kyengera and apparently being held as a slave working a farm owned by a senior government official.
At the time of his arrest, Mr Mutyaba was a constable attached to the Flying Squad at the Kampala Central Police Station.
Earlier on Ms Anita Nakiyingi, a wife to Mr Mutyaba said in an interview that Mr Mutyaba was arrested from Namungoona on gunpoint and they have not been able to see him nor knowing his whereabouts.
“On the evening on April 25, he (Mutyaba) called and told me that he had some problems at work hence unable to return home that night. The following day I called his telephone lines were off but I kept trying and when I got one on, the person answered with anger,” she narrated.
Ms Nakiyingi, a second wife to Mutyaba said that they are living in a difficult situation due to lack of money to take care of the six children.
“If there is any case against him, we appeal to the authorities to bring him to court such that the world can know. But we are troubled and stressed with the situation,” she lamented.
