The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Tribunal sitting in Mbarara City has awarded a total of Shs160 million to victims of human rights violations in two separate cases.
In the first ruling delivered by the Chairperson, Mariam Wangadya, the Tribunal awarded Shs80 million to Visensio Mucunguzi, a farmer from Rwenkuriju B Village in Mitooma District, following the killing of his son, Serestino Tumwijukye, a boda boda rider at Omukabanda Trading Centre.
The Commission heard that Tumwijukye was shot dead on March 15, 2015, by Sgt. Bagambireryo Apulinali, then Officer in Charge of Khongororo Police Post.
“Sgt. Bagambireryo shot three times in the direction of a boda boda stage in a busy trading centre at around 8:00pm. Many cyclists were waiting for passengers. As a trained police officer—and one in charge of the area police post—he must have known that firing bullets in that direction would most likely kill someone. After the third shot fatally hit Tumwijukye, he fled, knowing he had killed a person,” Wangadya stated.
The Tribunal also noted a letter from the then Mitooma District Police Commander, ASP Adam Kakaire Mulondo, confirming that a case of murder had been opened against Sgt. Bagambireryo, who was later remanded to Bushenyi Government Prison.
“The fact that Sgt. Bagambireryo’s superiors preferred a charge of murder, rather than manslaughter, indicates that they too believed he had intentionally killed Tumwijukye,” the Tribunal ruled.
Government has been directed to pay Shs 80 million, with Shs 5 million each going to Tumwijukye’s mother, Leticia Birungi, and his widow, Scovia Twikyirize. The remaining Shs 70 million will be managed by Mr. Mucunguzi for the benefit of Tumwijukye’s two children: Isaiah Taremwa and Victor Nabasa.
In the second decision, read by Commissioner Hon. Shifrah Lukwago, the Tribunal awarded another Shs 80 million to Peruth Abigaba, a widow whose husband, Bernard Muhoozi, died in police custody at Kishozi Police Post.
Muhoozi, a former trader at Kibutana Cell in Sheema Town Council, had reportedly fought with the area LC1 chairman, Samuel Kabaranzi. He had agreed to compensate Kabaranzi with Shs150,000. On October 12, 2013, he paid Shs100,000 of the agreed sum but was arrested and detained.
“On October 14, 2013, David Asiimwe Mweebe, a friend of Muhoozi, informed Abigaba that her husband had died in the cell. His body was later delivered to her home by a vehicle from Sheema Police Station,” the Tribunal heard.
The Tribunal also dismissed two complaints after the complainants failed to prove their allegations.
The Chairperson and three members of the Commission are sitting at the UHRC Mbarara Regional Office for a week-long session handling 19 complaints. The other panel members are Simeo Nsubuga and Jacklet Atuhaire Rwabukurukuru.
