Police Spokesperson Asuman Mugyenyi
According to Police Spokesperson Asuman Mugyenyi, police obtained information about the suspects linking them and one Swaibu Migadde to a plot to overthrow the government.
But the opposition believe the arrests are calculated to have a chilling effect on legitimate opposition activity.
Mr Mugyenyi refused to disclose the nature of this information or its source but Mr Tamale Mirundi, the Presidential press secretary, yesterday said the arrests could be a result of “reckless statements” made by opposition leaders, claims Mr Mugyenyi refuted.
Mr Mugyenyi said the suspects are mainly from West Nile, Acholi, Teso and Central Region but were picked up from Kinawataka, Arua Park and Kalerwe in Kampala.
Rights abused?
Mr Michael Osinde Orach, the head of UPC human rights desk, says among the people are UPC members who were arrested in Gulu, Arua, Nebbi and Kampala and have been in custody for more than a month.
“What the police and State are doing is against human rights because these people have no statements yet they are being tortured,” he said.
DP president Norbert Mao said arresting and detaining people without trial is a sign of the failure of government to engage in legitimate debates.
“Instead of dealing with pressing issues, government is chasing shadows and branding the opposition rebels,” Mr Mao told Daily Monitor.
FDC Women’s League chairperson Ingrid Turinawe condemned the detention, referring to it as, “Illegal, immoral and intolerable.”
The executive director Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, Mr Livingstone Ssewanyana, said: “The answer lies in how much pressure we put on government to ensure that the Torture Bill is enacted.”
The individuals were reportedly arrested on February 22.
Almost a month later, Mr Peter Nyombi, the attorney general, yesterday said delays in getting the matter to court was because the DPP has to go through a process.
By Sarah Tumwebaze, Daily Monitor
