ON WEDNESDAY, 7th April 2002, the EU’s human rights chief, Eamon Gilmore voiced concern about torture claims of some detainees in Uganda and other rights abuses, calling on President Yoweri Museveni to ensure there is action to stop the practices, not just words.
Mr. Gilmore said he had talks with the president and other concerned officials about these claims and the president promised to look into these matters.
What the human’s rights chief and the community have yet to understand is that most of these torture claims are not true, in fact, most have been proven to be lies. The most notable lie is the Kakwenza Rukirabashija one which has gained not only regional but also international recognition.
Kawenza, a novelist turned propagandist claimed to have been tortured by Ugandan forces while in detention for the online defamation and insults of President Museveni and Lt Gen. Muhoozi kainerugaba. He came up with fake torture stories and torture marks all over his body using professional makeup to create the illusion of scars. It has been proven that Rukirabashija was in fact not tortured and he was faking it to get a visa to go out of Uganda and work (Kyeyo).
Last month, minister for security Gen. Jim Muhwezi denied allegations of torture in the country saying that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government does not condone torture. He also insisted the government strongly condemns torture and all other acts of human rights violation, before challenging anybody with evidence that implicates the government in torturing any Ugandan to formally complain.
“As a minister, I have told you that government has already taken a position, which is correct and I personally don’t support torture. I have been categorical all the time in the media telling you that government does not support it,” Gen Muhwezi said.
He added: “But the most important thing is that it is government policy that it does not condone torture. There has been no torture and if there is torture, punishment is subjected to the culprit.”
He added that no case of torture had been proven so there is no cause for alarm because we (government) all don’t support it.
Recently, there was a video circulating on social media of a man being tortured by some people seen to be wearing yellow NRM T-shirts. The police have come out to confirm that these are members of the opposition who used the victim in order to further their propaganda of torture by the government.
The police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said that this crime was a pre-meditated smear campaign for political reasons.
The opposition in Uganda has gone to very many lengths to try and paint the NRM government as a torturous regime including but not limited to faking torture, faking kidnappings, and abductions.
The regional International community is urged to not fall into the trap of the opposition whose claims hold no water and have no bearing on truth.
