Human Rights Watch has received reports of the torture and extrajudicial execution of a treason suspect, Abdu Semugenyi, and the torture of others. We urge you to investigate and use your powers to ensure that all of the perpetrators are fully and fairly prosecuted.
Semugenyi was born in the village of Kamuli, parish of Iterero, sub-county of Burongyera, county of Kajara, district of Ntungamu, western Uganda in 1955. His father was Yusuf Mukasa and his mother is Madina Mukasa. He was married to Aisha Semugenyi for twenty-five years, with children. He was a businessman by profession.
The victim was among others arrested on suspicion of being associated with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels. He was detained in the village of Ntoroko in April 2006 while he was driving his vehicle, a Nissan Sahara pickup, registration number UAE 550N, in the company of one Zakariya Hassan. The two men were transferred to Karugutu barracks of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) in western Uganda and from there taken to the safe house (illegal or ungazetted detention place) maintained by the Joint AntiTerrorist Task Force (JATT) in Kololo, Kampala. Persons detained in the same place as Semugenyi witnessed him being tortured; some of them were tortured as well.
Eyewitnesses recall that Semugenyi was electrocuted to death and that he died crying for water. His body is missing. A photograph of Abdu Semygenyi provided by a family member is attached.
While the authorities first denied his detention, they later claimed that Semugenyi was killed while trying to escape.
The date given for his death is May 4. Others detained around the same time and apparently related to the same accusations as Semugenyi (association with the ADF) have been brought before the court and charged with treason.
International human rights law requires that a government investigate allegations of serious human rights violations. According to the United Nations Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions (1989):
- There shall be thorough, prompt and impartial investigation of all suspected cases of extra-legal, arbitrary and summary executions . . . . A written report shall be made within a reasonable period of time on the methods and findings of such investigations. The report shall be made public immediately and shall include the scope of the inquiry, procedures and methods used to evaluate evidence as well as conclusions and recommendations based on findings of fact and on applicable law. . . . The Government shall, within a reasonable period of time, either reply to the report of the investigation, or indicate the steps to be taken in response to it.
According to witnesses, those responsible for the detention, torture and death of Abdu Semugenyi were believed to be in the employ of the Chieftancy of Military Intelligence (CMI), who report to the coordinator of the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT), Captain Kamusiime. We urge that your investigation include them.
Ensuring that the police, military and security officers responsible are held fully accountable for any crimes that they commit is necessary for respect of human rights as well as the maintenance of professional security and military intelligence forces.
This letter is sent to you in advance of our publication of the information we have on this death. If you send a response on or before July 1, we will consider including its contents in our upcoming press release. Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Jemera Rone
East Africa Coordinator
Cc:
Mr. Crispus Kiyonga, Minister of Defence
Ambassador Francis Butagira
Lt Col James Mugira, Chieftancy of Military Intelligence
Mr. Robert Kabushenga
