Five soldiers who were arrested for torturing a civilian on Thursday appeared before the 505 Brigade Unit Disciplinary Court chaired by Lt Col ML Kigundu that sat for a public hearing in Lagot Parish, Mucwini Sub-County, Kitgum district.
Corporal Odong Richard Burton, Private Omara Martine Henry, Private Mongu Acel Sunday, Private Ogwang Denish and Private Omara Morish were charged with torturing and causing harm to a civilian, Omon Nelson, on 11th December 2023 contrary to Section 312(d) and 5(k) of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act, 2012.
The Kitgum District Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Ebil Jimmy Sseggawa, commended the UPDF leadership for arresting the culprits and producing them to face the law.
Mr. Ebil condemned the act and said that as a government they don’t condone torture as a means of extracting information or punishing but instead the government is mandated to protect the rights of the citizens.
The Deputy Commander 5 Infantry Division, Col Gai Mbandwa, assured the locals that, “this incident (torture) is not a UPDF policy. It was done on an individual basis and that’s why we have arrested them,” Col Mpandwa said.
The Deputy Defence Spokesperson, Col Deo Akiiki, assured the locals that justice would prevail and that’s why the Court sat immediately.
“In UPDF, we don’t have space for indiscipline, if you do anything bad, especially to ‘wanainchi’ (civilians) take it seriously because our job is to protect the borders of this country, people and their property,” Col Akiiki said.
The soldiers were remanded until Friday when they will appear before the 5 Division Court Martial which has the power to hear capital offence cases.
The Court was attended by the 505 Brigade Commander Col Patrick Opera, Kitgum District Local Leaders, and the local community, among others.