Uganda police have urged the march to parliament protesters that claim they were tortured while in custody at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) to formerly lodge their complaints to the professional standards unit and criminal investigations department.

According to Kampala metropolitan deputy police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, police will not conduct investigations into the allegations based on social media reports.

“The police are committed to investigating these allegations thoroughly. However, it is important to clarify that investigations will not be conducted based on social media posts. We urge those who feel aggrieved to formally report to the Professional Standards Unit and the criminal investigations department at Kibuli for a comprehensive investigation,” Owoyesigyire said in a statement.

He says the lobby where suspects are kept has CCTV cameras installed and that unless formal complaints are made, all allegations on social media will be considered an attempt to ‘malign’ the officer’s reputation.

“The police lobby, where the suspects were ushered, is equipped with CCTV cameras. Unless formal complaints are made, any allegations on social media will be considered an attempt to malign the officer’s reputation, who was lawfully executing his mandate,” he added.

The statement follows complaints from the recently released march to parliament protesters who alleged that they were tortured while in custody by the OC CID at CPS Ntabu Joel.

However, Owoyesigyire says all suspects arrested on July 23, 2024, were arraigned before court that same evening. He notes that Ntabu’s role involves assigning files to investigating officers and supervising the case files until they reach the office of the director of public prosecutions. 

“We would like to highlight that Superintendent Ntabu Joel’s role involves assigning files to investigating officers and supervising the case files until they reach the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Additionally, the suspects arrested on July 23, 2024, were arraigned in court that evening, with one suspect remaining in custody,” says Owoyesigyire.

Following the allegations, netizens have been circulating the picture believed to be of Ntabu Joel calling upon police to act upon the allegations.

On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, several protesters were arrested as they attempted to march to parliament in protest over the corruption scandals at parliament. The protesters were demanding the resignation of speaker of parliament Anita Among and all legislators involved in corruption scandals.
 
As of August 5, 2024, most of the protesters had been granted bail by the Buganda Road court and the Nakawa magistrates court. More protesters are expected to appear before court for their bail application hearing on Monday and Tuesday.

 by chimpReports