By Frank Kamuntu
Kampala: Human rights lawyers in Kampala have revealed that there are over 100 Rwandans detained in various detention centres who are not being presented in courts of law for prosecution, like the Constitution demands.
This was revealed during a press conference held today October 16, 2019 at tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia’s Speke Hotel Kampala, by Kiiza and Mugisha Advocates, at which lawyers said that over 100 Rwandan nationals are being detained by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and have been denied access to their relatives and lawyers, on top of being tortured physically and psychologically.
The Lawyers under Mugisha and Company Advocates, said that “It’s surprising that our clients are civilians but they are being tortured in Military detention centres, which is illegal.”
He added that “They should be released because they are being detained for no reason since government has failed to adduce evidence for their cases or produce them in court for prosecution.”
The lawyers said that the situation has worsened because their clients are being tortured and have been denied their constitutional rights of appearing into courts of law to be heard.
They identified some of those in detention as Rene Rutagungira, Irakaremye Claude, Rwamucyo Emmanuel, and Rutayisire Augustine who even applied for bail but it was denied.
Kiiza and Mugisha requested government to release the detainees unconditionally, instead of letting them rot in CMI dungeons and safe houses since most of them are innocent, until court proves them guilty.
They added that all military trials of these people should be stopped since they are civilians, not militants and CMI should repent torturing these detainees.
“You should let Police do it’s work and all the 100 Rwandans should be handed over to police since it is legally empowered to do investigations, not CMI.” Counsel Kiiza said.
