The Human Rights Tribunal recently awarded compensation of 60 million Ugandan Shillings to Phylis Chepkwemoi after UPDF soldiers tortured her husband to death. The incident happened back in 2004 when Gilbert Cherotwo was working in his garden before armed soldiers arrived. They accused him of having an illegal firearm, forced him to sit down, and beat him with large sticks for more than two hours despite his continued denials.
The soldiers eventually transported Cherotwo to Seredet Detach and later Bukwo Hospital, where he died from his injuries within hours. Chepkwemoi, who lives in Kapsiywo village in Bukwo district, filed a complaint under case number SRT/229/2006. She argued that killing her husband violated his right to life, and because the soldiers acted as official state representatives, the government should pay compensation.
Evidence examined by the tribunal included an important letter dated January 20, 2006. This correspondence from the Kapchorwa district police commander to the regional head of the Uganda Human Rights Commission confirmed that UPDF soldiers and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit arrested and tortured Cherotwo on November 4, 2004. The tribunal noted that investigations led to two soldiers facing prosecution - Private Emaru George and Private Alfred Asinge appearing before the 3rd Division Court Martial in Mbale.
UHRC Commissioner Crispin Kaheru read the verdict, which strongly condemned the actions of the seventeen soldiers who essentially acted as a lynch mob. The tribunal expressed dismay that the soldiers completely ignored testimony from LC I chairman Gilbert Chepnoyen, who assured them Cherotwo did not possess any firearm. Instead, they based their actions on false information from someone who owed Cherotwo money and harbored anger toward him. The tribunal described how terrifying the experience must have been for Cherotwo, being ordered to produce a weapon he knew nothing about.
The tribunal considered this case among 18 other matters during its four-day session in Soroti. Earlier that same day, the tribunal granted compensation to additional torture victims—David Olobo from Kamuda in Soroti received 10 million Shillings, and Lawrence Ojur from Katakwi district was awarded 4 million Shillings as compensation for their suffering.
The soldiers eventually transported Cherotwo to Seredet Detach and later Bukwo Hospital, where he died from his injuries within hours. Chepkwemoi, who lives in Kapsiywo village in Bukwo district, filed a complaint under case number SRT/229/2006. She argued that killing her husband violated his right to life, and because the soldiers acted as official state representatives, the government should pay compensation.
Evidence examined by the tribunal included an important letter dated January 20, 2006. This correspondence from the Kapchorwa district police commander to the regional head of the Uganda Human Rights Commission confirmed that UPDF soldiers and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit arrested and tortured Cherotwo on November 4, 2004. The tribunal noted that investigations led to two soldiers facing prosecution - Private Emaru George and Private Alfred Asinge appearing before the 3rd Division Court Martial in Mbale.
UHRC Commissioner Crispin Kaheru read the verdict, which strongly condemned the actions of the seventeen soldiers who essentially acted as a lynch mob. The tribunal expressed dismay that the soldiers completely ignored testimony from LC I chairman Gilbert Chepnoyen, who assured them Cherotwo did not possess any firearm. Instead, they based their actions on false information from someone who owed Cherotwo money and harbored anger toward him. The tribunal described how terrifying the experience must have been for Cherotwo, being ordered to produce a weapon he knew nothing about.
The tribunal considered this case among 18 other matters during its four-day session in Soroti. Earlier that same day, the tribunal granted compensation to additional torture victims—David Olobo from Kamuda in Soroti received 10 million Shillings, and Lawrence Ojur from Katakwi district was awarded 4 million Shillings as compensation for their suffering.
