Government ordered to compensate torture victims in Albertine region
He suffered severe injuries, including a broken leg that was later amputated and a broken arm.
Hoima: The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has ordered the government to compensate torture victims in the Albertine region with a total of UGX 69.5 million.
The decision was announced during an appeals tribunal held on Monday at the UHRC regional office in Hoima City, chaired by UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya.
The tribunal, which is set to hear 11 human rights violation cases from across the Albertine region over the course of a week, directed the Office of the Attorney General to compensate four residents of Ruhunga, Buhimba in Kikuube District) Simon Kirungi, Fred Kyaligonza, and Peregrini Kwikiriza each with UGX 22 million.
Another victim, Scovia Nsungwa, was awarded UGX 4 million. All amounts will carry an interest of 10% per annum until payment is made in full.
According to the tribunal, the victims were wrongly accused of murdering Margaret Nsungwa, sister to the former Buhaguzi MP Hon. Tom Kyahurwenda, in 2008. The victims were tortured by Hoima police and detained at Luzira Prison, an ordeal described as cruel, inhuman, and a violation of personal liberty.
Simon Kirungi, one of the compensated victims, expressed dissatisfaction with the award, arguing that UGX 22 million is insufficient for the trauma and permanent disability he suffered. Kirungi, a farmer, claims he is no longer able to work and is now demanding UGX 150 million in compensation.
Another case presented involved Alozio Waswa from Kisiita village in Kakumiro District. Waswa testified that he was tortured by a prison officer identified only as Ferdinand at Kyabisenge Prison. He suffered severe injuries, including a broken leg that was later amputated and a broken arm.
Wangadya emphasized the financial cost of unprofessional conduct by police and prison officers, noting that taxpayer money is used to compensate victims a situation she said is avoidable if law enforcement adheres to human rights standards.
She reiterated that Uganda’s Constitution prohibits torture, and any statement obtained through such means is inadmissible in court due to lack of evidential value.
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