The Uganda Human Rights Commission awarded 69.5 million shillings to four people who faced false murder charges and police torture. Simon Kirungi, Scovia Nsungwa, Fred Kyaligonza and Peregrini Kwikiriza received compensation after years of legal battles. Police officers wrongly accused them of killing Margaret Nsungwa, the sister of former lawmaker Tom Kyahurwenda. All four victims live in Ruhunga village within Buhimba area of Hoima District. The tribunal met at Hoima Regional Office during a week of hearings that started Monday.
Chairperson Mariam Wangadya led the panel with three other commissioners to review the case. Officers from Hoima Police Station arrested Kirungi on June 1, 2008 around morning hours. Police forced him to carry dead body parts from Mugoro Forest to the station for detention. The three men endured severe beatings, burns from hot plastic, and officers cut pieces of flesh from their bodies. Police also made them sit on red ant hills as punishment.
Authorities wanted the victims to admit guilt for the murder through these torture methods. The Director of Public Prosecutions removed all murder charges against the four people in May 2011. Kirungi and Kyaligonza spent 11 days each in jail without proper legal process. Kwikiriza remained locked up for eight days and Nsungwa for 14 days. The commission gave 20 million shillings each to three victims and additional money for illegal detention.
Chairperson Mariam Wangadya led the panel with three other commissioners to review the case. Officers from Hoima Police Station arrested Kirungi on June 1, 2008 around morning hours. Police forced him to carry dead body parts from Mugoro Forest to the station for detention. The three men endured severe beatings, burns from hot plastic, and officers cut pieces of flesh from their bodies. Police also made them sit on red ant hills as punishment.
Authorities wanted the victims to admit guilt for the murder through these torture methods. The Director of Public Prosecutions removed all murder charges against the four people in May 2011. Kirungi and Kyaligonza spent 11 days each in jail without proper legal process. Kwikiriza remained locked up for eight days and Nsungwa for 14 days. The commission gave 20 million shillings each to three victims and additional money for illegal detention.
