(LOSCO)
For
Immediate Release
STATEMENT
ON THE BLANTANT ASSAULT OF A MEDICAL WORKER WHILST AUTHORITIES ENFORCED STRICT
LOCKDOWN MEASURES.
(Kabale
9th July 2021) As we witness the unprecedented
global lockdown around the world and in Uganda, LOSCO joins hands in solidarity
with all peoples of the world and citizens of Uganda to fight the spread of
Coronavirus that causes COVID-19 that has claimed so many lives. LOSCO will
continue to participate in all public information campaigns against coronavirus
as well as related preventive actions to ensure that we reach all Ugandans
especially those that risk being left behind.
As we do this, Muhammad
Byaruhanga, an orthopedist attached to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital is
nursing wounds after being tortured by the escorts of Kabale Resident District
Commissioner, Darius Nandinda. According to Mr. Byaruhanga, he was on his way
back home from taking his Landlord for an urgent Medical attention at Kabale
Regional Referral Hospital on the evening 4th July 2021, Sunday night towards
9:00pm. He said four men including the Driver occupied the RDCs Pick Up Double
Cabin but the RDC himself was not there and he heard the Occupant in the Front
seat commanding “FIMBO FIMBO” meaning “cane, cane” after he was intercepted
along Bugongi Road near Revival Tabernacle Church.
According to
Byaruhanga, on his way home, a double cabin pickup vehicle registration number
UG 3314C that was being driven by a police officer he only identified as Julius
emerged from the vehicle and intercepted him along Bugongi road in Lower
Bugongi ward, Northern division, Kabale municipality and without asking for
anything pounced on him and started beating him up causing injuries to his left
ear and pain on his body.
Byaruhanga says that he
later went to file a complaint at Kabale police station where an officer told
him that he should go and finish those issues with the RDC (who endeavored to
call him that same night), arguing that police do not handle such matters
bounced him at gunpoint. However, the RDC said he was not aware of the
involvement of his escorts in the assault of the medical worker, saying in any
case this is a police case. Byaruhanga further said these could be dragged
along the political lines since he is a Brother to Hon. Sheik Kassim Kamugisha.
Byaruhanga told LOSCO
that he is not the only Health worker falling victim to brutality by the same
people that there are others he did not want to drag into this case who have
come to him alleging the same.
Sophie Namasoppo, the
Director Kabale Regional Referral Hospital said that unless something is done,
health workers will lay down their tools to protest police brutality.
Reuben Mutabazi, Kabale
District Internal Security Officer promised to investigate the incident, saying
he had received information and gave a call to Byaruhanga that night about the
same.
He (Byaruhanga) has so
far met with the DPC ASP Keneddy Ssebagala and OC CID Joel on the same issue
and claims there are deliberate efforts being made to change the case and
according to him, he does not know why!
As Human Rights
Defenders, we condemn such acts of Brutality in the strongest terms by the
security forces against the Citizens of this country and we stand firm to
advocate for Justice and Equity especially in times of crisis like these. Our
interdependence as members of the human race behooves us to look after and look
out for each other.
We
therefore recommend that:
1. The state should ensure that rights of
all citizens are protected and upheld at all times.
2. The perpetrators must be held
accountable for their actions.
3. The forces including the Police, Army, Private,
and Secret Operatives operate within the confines of the Law and respect Human
Rights bearing in mind that no one is above the Law.
4.
Authorities i.e the Police do whatever
is necessary to conclusively investigate the circumstances under which
Byaruhanga was assaulted by Agents of the State and other related cases and
hold perpetrators accountable.
5.
The Office of the RDC should exercise
restraint while enforcing observation of the strict COVID-19 Measures.
For More information
please contact:
TAREMWA ALBERT, CEO - LOSCO +256772935100
localsustainco@gmail.com
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