KAMPALA — Aspiring Kampala Woman MP Dr. Stella Nyanzi and local NGO, Heartsounds Uganda focused on mental health advocacy awareness raising have expressed shock over the brutal murder of a Makerere University student, Mr. Emmanuel Tegu.
The third year student of Veterinary Medicine at Makerere University was brutally murdered last week in a situation the Uganda Police Force has since failed explain.
Tegu was allegedly beaten by people inside the University at night on June 28. He died last Saturday at Mulago Hospital where he had been admitted— with his death raising several contradictions and putting the security forces in spotlight.
His relatives said he told them in hospital that he was beaten by security personnel while police say he was a victim of mob action inside the campus after he was suspected to be a thief.
Enanga claimed that Tegu had bipolar, a mental illness and was found half naked in Makerere University by patrol teams.
“He became more aggressive as the patrol teams tried to pursue him and started pelting them with stones,” he added.
But Dr. Nyanzi says police’s narrative is full of contradictions regarding the manner in which Tegu was tortured, wounded and eventually died.
She the Police has no business exposing psychiatric diagnoses of the victim.
“As a long time ally of the mental health fraternity in Uganda, I question the deployment of Bipolar Disorder or any other mental illness as justification for the brutality and torture leading to the death of a Ugandan citizen. The Police has no business exposing psychiatric diagnoses,” Dr. Nyanzi stated.
Mr. Jimmy Odoki Acellam, a mental health advocate and the Coordinator of Heartsounds Uganda told this website that people with diagnosis of mental illness and bipolar disorder to be specific deserve to be treated with dignity and protected from cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment.
“The Police and the community have a duty to protect the life and well being of all citizens at risk of facing violence”
We demand for proper investigation, prosecution and penalization of comrade Tegu’s torture and murder,” he said.
Mr. Odoki who called for a quick and impartial inquiry into the incident said government must provide more support towards awareness raising to law enforcement agencies and the public in general.
Mr. Enanga said investigations into the murder were on and the culprits would be brought to book.
He said Police have arrested at least 10 people in connection to the murder of Tegu.
He said the police was concerned over the rising incidents of insecurity on the campus despite the lockdown.
Government took over the security of Makerere University campus in 2001 after the brutal murder of a student, Alex Adigaremo.
