pressug.com News 24 7
Related Articles
The High court has awarded Shs 172 million in damages to Leo Ntege after finding that he was subjected to torture and multiple human rights violations by operatives of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), now known as Defence Intelligence and Security.
In his ruling, justice Isaac Bonny Teko held that Ntege had proved his constitutional rights were violated, emphasising that detention beyond 48 hours is unlawful and that torture constitutes an absolute violation of human dignity.
The judge noted that when state agents subject civilians to illegal detention, abuse and degrading treatment, courts must respond firmly to uphold the Constitution and deter similar conduct.
Court records show that Ntege was arrested on July 27, 2021, at his home in Mutundwe, Masanyalaze Zone, when armed men identifying themselves as CMI operatives reportedly raided his residence at about 3:00 a.m.
The operatives led by pastor Sadrack Kaganda, accused him of illegally possessing a firearm. Although no weapon was recovered, they confiscated several personal items, including a digital video recorder, laptop, mobile phone, passports, bank cards, a driving permit, memory card and a camera.
Ntege told court that he was blindfolded and taken to a safe house, which he later identified as Mbuya Military Barracks. While in detention, he said he was beaten daily with wire canes, subjected to severe physical abuse, including having a heavy object tied to his genitals, and denied access to his diabetes medication. He said this treatment worsened his health.
After 25 days in detention, he was transferred to the Police Special Investigations Unit in Kireka. He testified that he later developed kidney complications and other long-term health effects, and had since spent Shs 22 million on medical treatment.
The Attorney General, representing the government, denied that Ntege had been held at Mbuya but confirmed he was arrested during a joint security operation. The defence also argued that Kaganda, a civilian, could not command soldiers.
However, justice Teko found the government’s denial unsupported by evidence, describing Ntege’s account as detailed, consistent and corroborated by medical and psychological reports, including findings from the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims.
The court held that the acts described, beatings, incommunicado detention, humiliation, threats and denial of medical carw amounted to violations of constitutional protections against torture and degrading treatment.
Kaganda was also found liable after failing to respond to the allegations, leaving the claims against him unchallenged. The court ruled that the evidence linking him to the operation was credible.
Justice Teko awarded Shs 22 million in special damages for medical expenses and Shs 150 million in general damages. The government and Kaganda were ordered to jointly pay the compensation, along with the costs of the suit.
Related
, https://observer.ug/news/cmi-torture-victim-awarded-shs-172m/
