Lwampanga police station OC in trouble over alleged torture of suspect

The Officer in Charge of the Lwampanga police station in Nakasongola has been charged for torturing a suspect in police custody.

Stanley Kalema, a 29-year-old resident of Kikaraganya Trading Centre, is suspected of being tortured by Joel Bikuta.

According to Kalema, he was arrested about 10 p.m. on August 12 and detained at the Lwampanga police station for violating curfew restrictions. He further claims that while in custody, he requested to be taken outside to answer nature’s call around midnight, but the officers on duty refused.

According to Kalema, OC Bikuta rushed the cells and assaulted him with an electric wire, claiming he was attempting to flee.

Kalema claims he suffered several injuries to his hands, back, and chest. Kalema also said he had to pay Bikuta a bribe of 100,000 shillings to be released. On Monday, Kalema filed a complaint with the aid of local leaders at the Nakasongola police station, requesting that Bikuta be investigated for torture and extortion.

Bikuta, on the other hand, denies torturing Kalema, claiming that the wounds were suffered during a fight with a buddy at a bar before he was detained.

Kalema’s allegation, according to Bikuta, is prompted by Nakasongola district vice chairman Samuel Tingira, who runs the pub where Kalema was arrested.

He claims Tingira contacted him after detaining Kalema and three others from the pub, threatening to sue him for infringing on his clients’ liberty.

Bikuta said he is unconcerned about concerns and would defend himself if called upon.

Tingira claims that his involvement was only for the purpose of ensuring that a local citizen receives justice, and he denies owning a bar. Tingira has requested that the police look into Kalema’s accusations.

The alleged abuse of detainees has also been denounced by Sam Kigula, the LCV chairperson of Nakasongola, who has requested the DPC to take action against the officer involved.

The Nakasongola District Police Commander, Phillip Mukasa, was unavailable to comment on the allegation. The Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson, Isah Ssemwogerere, said he is awaiting a report on the incident.

President Yoweri Museveni recently issued a warning to security officers about torturing criminals.

Museveni has stated that he will educate the security forces about these abuses and that any who refuse to reform will be dealt with harshly.

A person who commits any act of torture, according to section 4 (1) of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2020, commits an offence and faces a sentence of fifteen years in jail or a fine of three hundred and sixty currency points, or both, if convicted.