Karamoja MPs demand justice for starved detainees

Members of Parliament from Karamoja region have vowed to pursue justice for the dozens of suspects who were last week released from Gulu prison in dire conditions.

The suspects were released in gravely appalling conditions with some malnourished, others struggling with tuberculosis infections and chronic illnesses.

Jie County MP Hon. Peter Abrahams Lokii who chauffeured the detainees from Gulu prison to Kotido district says he found them with torture marks, an indicator that prisons authorities subjected them to maltreatment, starvation and torture.

“Some of them could not walk, they seem to have been starved or tortured,” he said. “Justice is not for bias, the office of the DPP asked for their release, because no single person from Acholi or UPDF testified against the suspects,” he added.

The army is said to have dumped the suspects at Agaga Magistrates Court and failed to present witnesses to adduce any incriminating evidence. 21 juveniles and 279 youth were remanded to Gulu prison where they’ve been illegally detained for two years.

“We shall try all we can to secure justice for these people, we also appeal to human rights defenders to interest themselves in this case of torture,” MP Lokii said.

Other suspects like Lokomolo Lomiat died inside prison due to torture and a tuberculosis outbreak. His family is pressing for justice from government.

Lomiat succumbed to torture seven days ago before his colleagues were released unconditionally on April 3.

The suspects were arrested at the height of cattle raids in the Karamoja region.