CONVID-19: UGANDAN POLICE BRUTALISE AND VIOLATE UGANDAN WOMEN OVER LOCKDOWN

CONVID-19: UGANDAN POLICE BRUTALISE AND VIOLATE UGANDAN WOMEN OVER LOCKDOWN 

On Saturday April 4, Uganda awakened to the gruesome photos of women and men at Elegu border with South Sudan who were pulled out of their houses, beaten and rolled on a muddy ground by security forces under the pretext of enforcing the President’s directives on coronavirus and curfew.

Since March 30 when President Museveni announced the lockdown over Covid-19 pandemic and thus the night curfew to limit human movement, security forces comprising Local Defence Unit forces, police, army, and intelligence agencies are beating up people they accused of defying the order.

He said security forces had used a "heavy-handed approach" to disperse the 31 women, described by Uganda Radio Network as sex workers, and 7 men.

"The patrollers kicked doors open and dragged the occupants out, and a couple of fell within the muddy surfaces. Several vlnerable women and a few of men were injured within the method ."

Victims reported the incident to their landlady, Beatrice Auma, who took photos of their injuries, Enanga said, adding: "The images went viral."

The injuries included wounds on the women's thighs and buttocks apparently from caning -- a known practice of the Ugandan security forces.

COVID-19 Lockdown: Disturbing photos of women


The security personnel reportedly used iron bars and sticks to beat the people.
The beating of the Elegu women isn't an isolated case. Over the last fortnight , sort of comparable cases are reported in other parts of the country.

He said security forces had used a "heavy-handed approach" to disperse the 31 women, described by Uganda Radio Network as sex workers, and 7 men.

"The patrollers kicked doors open and dragged the occupants out, and a couple of fell within the muddy surfaces. Several vlnerable women and a few of men were injured within the method ."

Victims reported the incident to their landlady, Beatrice Auma, who took photos of their injuries, Enanga said, adding: "The images went viral."

The injuries included wounds on the women's thighs and buttocks apparently from caning -- a known practice of the Ugandan security forces.


Ms Margaret Auma, the chairperson of Elegu Women Cross-border Traders Savings and Credit cooperative Society, who owns the premises where the security officers pulled out the victims, said at around 7 pm when everyone were in their houses, she heard women crying: “why have you ever ever pulled us from our homes to start out out beating us. What have we done?”

She said the women cried but the security forces continued beating them.
According to her, the officers kept kicking doors and withdrawal method mainly women and moved with them up to 1am once they were released.



After the photos of those tortured at Elegu emerged on social media, a joint security task team of senior army and cops started investigating the alleged torture.



Mr Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, during a handout on Sunday said the patrollers kicked doors open and dragged the occupants out and a couple of fell on muddy surfaces.

“Using a crucial handed approach to disperse the occupants, several vulnerable women and a few of men were injured within the method ,” he said.



Enanga said 38 victims comprising 31 females and seven males were traced and their detailed statements were recorded.

“One of the male victims identified as Kuma Charles Adigoli suffered significant injuries of a fractured arm and is admitted at the 4th Divisional Hospital at its headquarters in Gulu District, while the rest of the victims had obvious injuries. They were further subjected to checkup and may continue receiving the only possible support as we means their interest the courts of law,” he said.

“The leadership of both the UPDF and UPF, strongly condemns the outrageous and gross acts of misconduct by the officers,” he added.

More photos below.