Police Speak On ‘Torture’ Of 80-Year-old Man Who Died In Jail
SCP Fred Enanga
Uganda Police has finally addressed the circumstances under which an 80 year old Costa Muhonja, who was arrested on 6th January died in police custody at the Special Investigations Division in Kireka.
Speaking at a press conference, police spokesman, SCP Fred Enanga told journalists that Muhonja succumbed to injuries after a bathroom fall at Kireka detention facility.
Prior to this, Leader of opposition, Mathias Mpuuga together with opposition MPS accused the government of torturing the old man to death. They pinned the authorities for wrongful arrest and hiding this information from his family.
“After two weeks of torture, Mzee Muhonja succumbed to the injuries inflicted on him. His body was dumped at the KCCA mortuary on January 19th. Eight days later, the body was disposed of in the KCCA cemetery,” Mpuuga said.
In the same press release, Enanga rubbished the allegations stating that they appointed a government coroner to establish the cause of death and his statement exonerated the police of these allegations.
“During coronal investigations, 12 suspects with whom the victim shared custody were interviewed and the cause of death was established as an accident following a bathroom slip that led to fatal chest injury. There was therefore no torture or ill-treatment of the suspect while in custody,”Enanga said.
According to police, the victim was arrested after the counter-terror task teams obtained information from 4 ADF suspects who implicated him as an ADF collaborator. The suspected ADF detainees who implicated him are Moses Katende (19), Balikoowa Abdullatif (54), Woduma Adam and Musana Faisal (19). These are accused of participating in the attack on Busiika police station, killing two officers, stealing 2 guns and burning down the station.
He was transferred to the detention facility in Kireka and kept under custody with 12 other suspects, pending charges of terrorism.
Enanga’s revelations come after Muhonja’s family appeared before the news demanding for the body of their relative to have him buried the right way and also seek answers on how he died.
According to eyewitnesses, Muhonja was captured by unknown people in a drone. He was taken to Masaka police and later to Kampala. He is reported to have died on the 19th January and after 8 days, he was declared unclaimed and buried on the 27th January.
“He was arrested by officials from Masaka and taken to Kampala. When we organized to see him and find out the cause of arrest, we found out Mzee was dead.” Ezra Tindyebwa, the deceased’s son, revealed.
His people state that Muhonja was one of the most peaceful and humble people in the village and wonder how they accused him of terrorism.
“He has been staying without a phone, never seen him moving around aimlessly” The village chairman stated.
Enanga vowed to continue exercising oversight of their joint counter terror task teams to ensure transparency, accountability and action within the confines of the law.
“Where there is evidence of discriminatory treatment, misconduct or other criminality, officers are held to account through the legal system, without fear or favor” He said.
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