Iron sheets protesters decry torture in prison

Yesterday, the eight activists who were in May arrested over demonstrations in downtown Kampala aimed at pestering government to prosecute Ministers in Karamoja iron sheets saga, went to the NUP party headquarters in Kamwokya.

The eight activists were received by the NUP party secretary general Mr. David Lewis Rubongoya to whom they narrated their ordeal covering the three months they’ve been under incarceration.

Nelson Wine, one of the activists says they were beaten with batons at CPS Kampala where they were initially detained before their prosecution at Buganda Road Court.

The activists say they were gravely tortured and denied access to food and their lawyers or relatives for close to 48 hours as policemen avenged for the alleged assault of their colleague, Musimenta.

“They claimed we beat up their colleague and that we don’t deserve any mercy,” said of the released activists. “The policemen said we must be denied food so that we lose the energy to resist,” added another activist.

Mr. Rubongoya commended them for their belligerent spirit and welcomed them back from the dungeons.

This (Wednesday) evening at the National Unity Platform office, I was very pleased to receive back the 8 activists who have spent close to three months in jail for protesting against the theft of Karamoja iron-sheets by regime officials. They were granted bail last week but were not released immediately over court bureaucracies. Although they have lost a lot of time and resources, they are of strong spirits. One of them, Mzee Matanda Augustine only learnt that both his biological mother and mother in-law passed on while he was in detention. We’re working with the team to ensure he has an opportunity to say farewell to his loved ones. Like many others, he’s had to pay such a heavy price for daring to fight against corruption and misrule.

They’re grateful to each one who has done anything to push for their freedom. Grateful to the lawyers, volunteers and family members who worked towards their release.