The family of Denis Mbangira Mugabirwe, a former teacher at Makobore High School in Rukungiri District who was tortured while in police custody in 2010, has been awarded Shs 55 million.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission heard that Mugabirwe was arrested by police officers, charged with being idle and disorderly, and detained at Rukungiri Police Station on March 30, 2010.
While in custody, he was severely beaten, sustaining injuries that led to his death on April 12, 2010.
Betty Atwebembire, 39, the widow of Mugabirwe, represented his family.
“The death report from Kisiizi Hospital, signed by Dr. Gabriel Okumu, concluded that Mugabirwe was most likely beaten on the abdomen, leading to blood in the peritoneum and tears in the mesentery and stomach,” the tribunal ruled.
In another decision read by Mariam Wangadya on behalf of the panel, Shs 6 million was awarded to James Mugabo, 40, a resident of Sisa in Wakiso District.
He was detained for 16 days at different police stations, starting at Kiboga Police Station from October 7 to October 9, 2009.
He was then transferred to Sanga Police Post, where he was detained until October 12, before being moved to Rushere Police Station, where he remained until October 23, 2009. Mugabo was accused of stealing a motorcycle from his employer, Kayongo Mandella.
“The arrest and detention of James Mugabo were arbitrary, as the state offered no explanation for its actions. Once a person’s liberty is restricted, other rights are equally affected, such as the right to work, the right to freely associate with others, and the right to procreate,” the tribunal ruled.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission made these rulings while sitting at its Mbarara Regional Office. The tribunal was chaired by Chairperson Mariam Wangadya and included commissioners Shifrah Lukwago, Simeo Muwanga Nsubuga, and Jaklet Atuhaire Rwabukurukuru.
