Kigezi Human Rights Dialogue Calls for Improved Reporting of Law Enforcement Abuses.

KABALE, UGANDA – The Kigezi Regional Police Officer in Charge of Legal and Human Rights, ASP Arnold Ndagije, has urged members of the public to report human rights abuses by law enforcement officers, especially within the Police and Uganda Prison Services.

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ASP Ndagije made these remarks today during a dialogue organized by the NGO Local Sustainable Communities Organization (LOSCO) in Kabale District.

The event, held at White Horse Inn Hotel, brought together human rights defenders, law enforcement officers, political leaders, local government civil servants, the media, and members of the public.

LOSCO is in partnership with Defend Defenders Horn of Africa, supported by Royal Danish Embassy (RDE) under PACER program, to promote civic competence and human rights in the Kigezi sub-region.

In his address, Mr. Ndagije acknowledged that some police officers may operate outside the bounds of the law but emphasized the importance of reporting any human rights violations through established channels.

“The Police Code of Conduct clearly stipulates the actions to be taken against officers who misbehave, and the Professional Standards Unit is the chief enforcer of conduct,” he stated.

He also assured the public that his office remains open to anyone seeking assistance and encouraged the community to utilize services provided by the Police Professional Standards Unit, which is tasked with enforcing professionalism among members of the Uganda Police Force.

Ndagije was responding to a submission by Lawyer Jennifer Atuheire from FIDA Uganda, who highlighted a number of human rights violations reported across police and prison detention facilities including torture, illegal arrests, and detention beyond 48 hours, which contravenes Uganda’s laws.

Ms. Jennifer underscored the need for continuous training to address the problem. “I think our security officers need regular refresher courses on human rights and constant reminders of their power limitations while executing their legal mandates,” said Counsel Atuheire.

CUE IN…JENNIFER ON ILLEGAL DETENTIONS

Superintendent of Prisons and Officer in Charge of Ndorwa Government Prison, Julius Kisembo reported that his facility had not registered any recent human rights violations.

“Everyone entering Uganda Prisons is sent by established courts presided over by competent judges and magistrates. Therefore, we do not have anyone illegally detained in our facility,” he asserted.

Kisembo added that there is a fully established human rights unit at Uganda Prisons headquarters, headed by officers at the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Prisons or higher.

He also noted the existence of human rights committees at district levels for both staff and prisoners, which monitor the administration’s adherence to human rights standards.

“These committees are required to submit quarterly reports to the office of the Commissioner General of Prisons on the state of human rights in their facilities across the country.

The Uganda Human Rights Commission also regularly holds meetings with these committees to monitor the human rights situation,” Kisembo explained.

CUE IN..KISEMBO ON HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITEES

Representing the Officer in Charge of Kabale Central Police Station, the O.C Family and Child Protection Unit , I.P. Margret Kamiranga clarified that there were no cases of illegal detention at their station.

She emphasized that they were working diligently to observe the 48-hour rule for detaining suspects before their court appearance.

“All detentions are sanctioned by an officer in command position such as the O.C Station, OC CID, or DPC to prevent misuse of authority by lower-ranking officers,” she noted.

Ms. Kamiranga also explained that in certain high-profile or complex cases, suspects may be detained for longer than 48 hours, sometimes up to seven days, to facilitate investigations and to protect suspects from mob justice or revenge acts.

However, she clarified that the maximum detention period for capital offenders is seven days and that police coordinate closely with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) when detaining suspects beyond 48 hours.

“The detention of capital offenders may extend up to seven days, but suspects charged with minor offenses are not detained for more than 48 hours,” she affirmed.

Meanwhile, LOSCO’s Head of Advocacy, Ms. Honest Kyomugisha, stated that today’s human rights and civic competence dialogue was the second of its kind in 2025.

She announced that the organization would soon release the date for the next session to review the implementation of action points agreed upon by participants.

Ms. Kyomugisha highlighted that human rights advocacy remains central to LOSCO’s work, alongside their interests in social services, governance, and environmental conservation, among others.

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