By Jumah Kakomo
The African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) has called upon the government to enact and implement more laws, develop and adopt a national rehabilitation policy to address the physical, emotional, and psychological wounds inflicted upon tortured Victims.
For years, the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims has worked tirelessly to provide holistic treatment and rehabilitation services to survivors. The organization has advocated against torture, providing legal aid, medical care, and psychological support to those affected
In a report released on Thursday by ACTV about the state of torture situation in Uganda 2024, Samuel Herbert Nsubuga, the Chief executive director of ACTV, highlighted that despite a comprehensive anti-torture legislative framework in Uganda, torture persists. According to a report, in 2023, ACTV registered 1,235 survivors, and from January-June 2024, a total of 903 (Male-505 and female-398) has been registered. Gulu office -342, Kampala office-244, Karamoja-251, and Kasese-66. Men are still the majority that report torture compared to women.
The report also indicates that security agencies still rank high among those alleged to perpetrated torture, and citizens’ activism on reporting torture perpetrated by private individuals has increased.
The report highlights that from January to June 2024, the categories cited are torture and ill Treatment-657, gender based violence-120, other forms of violence (Mob Violence, land disputes and election violence)-126. 97% (876) are Ugandans, and 03% (27) are refugees, the majority of whom come from RDC and Sudan. There are a high number of youths who are survivors of torture and violence. 0-17 (18), 18-30 (470), 31-35 (234), 36-58 (774), and 59+ (304).
Alleged torture perpetrators
Security agencies still rank high in allegations of torture perpetrated with a worrying trend of torture meted by private individuals. UPDF with 353, Uganda Police Force with 175, Uganda prisons service with 14 and private individuals ranking 3rd with 160 cases.
Nsubuga said ACTV has greatly contributed towards torture prevention and accountability such as managing to establish a fully fledged rehabilitation centre in Karamoja region Kaabong district, establishment of a network of 38 professionals on Medico legal documentation including; lawyers, doctors, psychologists and social workers, continued providing of holistic rehabilitation services to survivors of torture and violence among others despite various challenges still faced like gaps in investigation and documentation of torture and ill treatment cases, fear among survivors and affected communities and limited funding for rehabilitation and advocacy persists.
However, Nsubuga appreciates the technical and financial support of their development partners towards the work they do.
“We encourage state institutions to continue working collectively with Non government organisations towards torture prevention and accountability interventions,” Nsubuga said.
Alex Kigoye, the program’s manager at ACTV recommended parliament to enact the witness protection Bill 2015 and National legal aid Bill, the Uganda police force to code the prevention and prohibition of torture regulations 2027 forms to enable effective investigation and documentation of torture and prosecution, and the general public to refrain from engaging in acts of Mob Violence and torture and also report to relevant Institutions.
