Uganda People’s Defence Forces has apprehended the three Special Forces Command soldiers who appeared in a video beating up a civilian.
In the video that’s been making rounds on social media, the three officers are captured beating up and kicking their civilian victim as he pleads for mercy from his indifferent captors.
UPDF Spokesperson Brig Gen. Richard Karemire confirmed the arrest of the officers and stressed that discipline and respect for human rights is key in the institution of the UPDF and re-echoed commitment to reprimand the culprits caught in violation of that principle.
” I can confirm that three of our officers attached to SFC have been detained following the video circulating where a civilian was tortured in the areas of Kisaasi. It’s very unfortunate and as UPDF, we condemn acts of torture and human rights abuse.” He told Watchdog in a telephone conversation on Monday.
Dr Livingstone Ssewanyana of Human Rights initiative said there was need for authorities in the army to take responsibility by cautioning it’s officers against torture and human rights abuse which he says has tainted the image of the force.
The arrest comes in the wake of a human rights report released let week which names security organs at the top of human rights violators in the country. According to this particular report, Uganda Police tops the list with 150 cases of human rights abuse and torture with UPDF and Uganda prisons following in second and third place with 80 and 50 cases respectively.
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