Suspects in murder of Ugandan police spokesman complain of torture

Thirteen suspects detained in the murder of Uganda’s police spokesperson AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi killed in mid-March along with two other officers have complained of torture in jail.

The suspects told the Nakawa Magistrates court on Friday that they were starved and tortured during their detention and were kept at a jail instead of the prison the court ordered.

“You ordered that we should be taken to Luzira Maximum Prison but instead those policemen before you, took us to Nalufenya police cells where we have been constantly tortured, both physically and psychologically,” local news portal Daily Monitor quoted a suspect during a hearing on Friday.

Another suspect also told the judge Nooh Sajjabi that they were “placed on handcuffs 24 hours a day and we are about to die of hunger”.

The judge reportedly disregarded their complaints saying the court has no jurisdiction to hear them.

The reportedly frail looking suspects charged with terrorism, murder and aggravated robbery were remanded till May 15.

Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Andrew Felix Kaweesi was murdered together with his bodyguard, Kenneth Erwau and driver Godfrey Wambewo.

The three policemen were shot dead in a car by unknown assailants riding motorcycles in the capital Kampala.

Police spokesperson, Asan Kasingye, who succeeded Kaweesi said the motive for the killing was still not known.

The police are on a hunt to apprehend other suspects who are still on the run.

Below is a video of the suspects as they arrive at the court in the presence of their families.

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