All the talk on Ugandan radio airwaves of recent, has been about the alleged safe houses around the country where people are held incommunicado by security agencies.
These allegations mainly originating from opposition members of Parliament in the People Power group culminated in uncoordinated visits to various locations where they suspected people to be held.
Of all the paraded purported torture suspects, non was able to identify a legitimate safe house where they were allegedly being held nor could they show visible signs and symptoms of torture victims.
It was very embarrassing when the Parliamentarians ended up at the gates of the External Security Organization headquarters in Kampala which they had unknowingly been led to as one of the safe houses. The parliamentarians blinded by their urge to play to the gallery were unable to distinguish between facts and fallacy.
This current development is worrying because it sets a dangerous precedent in the politics and security of this country. The people power group is known to have background in the ghettos of Kampala and as such most of its grass roots supporters have criminal backgrounds. It’s of very little wonder that they have been sympathetic to suspected criminals and aggressive towards efforts to rid this country of violent crime.
It’s also very clear that this group would like to use the veil of insecurity as campaign tool come the general elections in 2021.
The security minister General Ely Tumwiine came out clearly and explained the role of Safe houses in the security of the country. It’s very well-known that during investigations, certain witnesses need protection from adversaries. Informers whose safety may not be guaranteed out in the public are usually put away in facilities where they can be closely monitored and protected. Safe houses are not un-gazetted as these politicians claim, they are duly provided for in the constitution even though it is not directly stated.
The government detractors have also accused security of violent arrests and human rights abuses. This allegation has also been picked up by Human rights organizations who also being keen to appease their pay masters have given the accusations more weight.
However as we seek to protect the rights of suspected criminals, we should also be mindful of the rights of the aggrieved. How do think victims of violent crimes like children and relatives of murdered people feel when they see known suspected criminals walk free on the streets because of laxity in the courts?
Security agencies should remain strong and planted on their beliefs.
Stringent measures need to be taken to rid this country of violent crime. Agencies should not allow themselves to be intimated. The country cannot remain at the mercy of the criminals. And to the politicians, the public will soon be able to see through your lies and you will be undressed and exposed for who you truly are.
