The Senior Commissioner of Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) Frank Baine Mayanja has dismissed allegations that jailed veteran Opposition leader and former four time Presidential candidate Rtd Col Dr Kizza Besigye is being tortured while on remand at Luzira Upper Maximum Security Prison as false.
In a statement released on Friday, Baine said Prisons had noted torture allegations made by some opposition leaders and the family of Dr Besigye regarding his treatment at the facility.
“They claim that the facility is infested with bed bugs used as a torture tool against him is grossly false. Also, the assertion that he shares a ward with 15 others and yet in permanent isolation is contradictory. The Public is urged to disregard this misinformation and disinformation” the statement read.
Baine said the Prison Services remain professional in the execution of their duties as mandated by the country’s constitution and Nelson Mandela Rules.
Baine’s defensive comes a day after Dr Kizza Besigye’s wife Winnie Byanyima’s whose in the country to visit him made public his alleged harsh living conditions inside Luzira during an interview.
“Dr. Kizza Besigye isn’t allowed to mingle with fellow inmates. When he steps out, two guards accompany him to make sure he doesn’t speak to anyone. Where Besigye is, he’s being detained with 10 inmates who have been on remand for over 10 years. These are said to be part of the rebel group ADF; however, they refuse the accusations,” she said.
Byanyima noted that Dr. Besigye who was arrested last year in Kenya alongside his aide Hajji Obed Kamulegeya Lutale is being held in the solitary confinement section in a bed bug filled room and has been denied any interaction with fellow inmates.
“Besigye told me that he sleeps in a terrible situation with bedbugs feeding on him,” she said.
Byanyima further proposed dialogue to resolve the current political stalemate contingent on having a transparent objective led by a neutral mediator, not affiliated with either the government or the opposition.
Recently during hearing, Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide Hajj Obeid Lutale throught heir lawyers sought for the removal of the Nakawa Chief Magistrate Nantege Christine from their case accusing her of incompetence, abuse of judicial oath and Judicial malpractice.
The case hearing was adjourned until 25th June for further hearing as the Judicial Service commission begins it’s inquiry into the petition.
