Kireka, 21st/Sept/2011; Vincent Nzaramba an author of the book that called for president Museveni to relinquish power is in detention at the feared Rapid Response Unit (RRU) headquarters in Kireka, a Kampala suburb.
Nzaramba who
Published a book under the title “People power-battle the almighty general” was arrested on 1 7th/Sept/2011 by a group of more than 10 plain clothed security operatives from his home in Kisalosalo zone, Kyebando parish Kawempe division, Kampala district.
This was the
Second book after publishing the first one in January 2011. His first book focused on the National Resistance Movement’Organisation (NRM-O) manifesto which he (Nzaramba) used when he was contesting for Kawempe South parliamentary seat on the ruling party in the recently concluded general elections.
Human Rights
Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has learnt that before the arrest, Nzaramba received a call at 8:30am (local time) from his colleague Musa Bwanika who allegedly informed him that there was somebody who wanted to talk to him. Immediately Nzaramba went to Bwanika’s residence which is also located in the same zone.
Eye witness
Told HRNJ-Uganda that Nzaramba came back home at around 1:30pm in a convoy of two police vehicles. “They searched his home for about two (2) hours and confiscated 106 copies of the book and receipts he indicating that he received US$ 300 through Western Union”. He was later driven away to RRU headquarters in Kireka
Since his
Arrest on 17th/Sept/2011, he’s being detained at Kireka without a charge neither the suspect recording a statement.
When he met
His wife Gloria in the company of his lawyer Anthony Wameli on 20th/September/2011at 4:30pm, Nzaramba alleged torture being orchestrated by one Musa Walugembe (an operative at RRU). He was reported on a hung-strike over the alleged threats to be shot received from operatives and how he feeds from one plate with a dog.
“He told us
That upon arriving at RRU on the 17th/Sept/2011, operative asked him to remove his shoes and was forced to step on a sharp object which caused a big cut on his left foot” said the wife Gloria
Article 24
Of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda states that “No person shall be subjected to any form of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.
HRNJ-Uganda
Has been reliably informed that operatives drove Nzaramba at mid-night on19th/Sept/2011 to the premises of the printing press located at Nasser road in Kampala but it was closed at that time.
Sources
Added that one resident lawyer based at RRU one Kanaalu told the family that they didn’t know that the suspect had spent in cells beyond 48 hours as required by the constitution. He was quoted allegedly “blaming the family for taking long to complain”
“Police is
Illegally detaining Nzaramba because he has not disowned his opinion expressed in the book. We query the actions of an institution which is supposed to keep law and order because it abuses the same laws it should protect. It’s very clear that police is violating the law with impunity and top commanders of RRU should be held responsible for these actions” said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala
HRNJ-Uganda
Condemns in the strongest term possible the continued detention and persecution of Mr. Nzaramba for only expressing his opinion.
We call for the
Intervention of the United Nations Office of High Commission for Human Rights and the Uganda Human Rights Commission to invoke their mandate over protecting people’s rights and freedoms.
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
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