The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has taken a swipe at police demanding an immediate investigation and accountability over the brutal assault of presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine and his supporters in Gulu City on Saturday.
According to the commission, disturbing images circulating in the media show men in police and army uniforms beating unarmed civilians with long sticks as Kyagulanyi arrived for a campaign event sanctioned by the Electoral Commission.
UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya expressed deep concern over what she described as a blatant violation of policing standards and the rights of citizens to participate freely in democratic activities.
“We are extremely concerned about the manner in which Hon. Ssentamu and his supporters were treated,” Wangadya said.
“Media images we have seen show indiscriminate beating of the candidate’s supporters by Police and men in army uniform, in contravention of prescribed policing standards.”
Wangadya said the commission is demanding both a comprehensive investigation and a clear explanation from Police leadership regarding the conduct of their officers.
“We demand to know what steps you have taken to bring the culprits involved in this incident to justice,” she stressed.
The UHRC also wants the Police to outline concrete measures to prevent similar incidents during the ongoing presidential campaigns.
“We seek clearly outlined steps detailing what actions the Uganda Police Force intends to take to ensure that such high-handed use of force against civilians does not happen again,” Wangadya added.
The Commission says it will continue monitoring the situation to ensure that citizens’ rights are protected as electoral activities progress.
