The President of Uganda, Gen (Rtd) Kaguta Museveni has assured a delegation from Human Rights Watch (HRW) that cases of Human Rights violation will end and will not be tolerated in Uganda.
The delegation led by HRW Executive Director, Kenneth Roth met the president on Wednesday 29th June at his country home in Ntungamo to present him a report on human Rights violations incidences in Uganda.
While addressing the team, the president reassured them of his desire to restore human rights in Uganda that pushed him to fight previous regimes.
“No one can teach me about the subject of human rights because that is what I fought for, to have a democratic society in Uganda. I spent sixteen solid years of my life putting in place human rights observance and correcting what the regime of Idi Amin distorted. When handling human rights issues, be careful,” President Museveni said.
“Cases of illegal detention, torture, and human rights violations will end, and will not be tolerated,” assured the president
He also assured them that he will use the report and verify its findings as a case study to strengthen human rights recognition in the country.
Museveni explained to the officials that his government will also battle illegal acts by security institutions like the police force of beating, illegally detaining, and interrogating people, because when they do that they are not doing their work properly.
Museveni informed the delegates on governments move to ensure professionalism in police and other security organs.
“What we are doing is to tell them to use legal solutions by educating the forces about standing orders of managing society while handling criminal acts and suspects. This can stop the forces from making unnecessary mistakes,” Museveni said.
However, he applauded the HRW, saying their findings have revealed to him that the organization has some value to offer.
“You have discovered some rot on human rights according to the discussion that summarizes the report and I assume it is evidence-based,” Museveni said.
Mr. Roth commended the President for his pledge to “Zero tolerance” against torture and human rights violations committed by armed forces.
“This is a signal that you are doing a good job,” Roth said.
The meeting was also attended by Mansion Segun, Human Rights Watch Executive Director for Africa, Carbine Caneza, the Advocacy Director for Africa, Oryema Nyeko, a researcher, and Mariam Wangadya, the Chairperson of Uganda Human Rights Commission.
