The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) regional office in Lira City dismissed a human rights violation case against the government, ruling it was wrongly filed against the Attorney General.
The case, brought by six farmers in 2006, accused Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers of human rights infringements against their family members in Oyam District. The incident, in 2006, allegedly resulted in the death of a father and child due to torture by army members.
The tribunal, led by UHRC chief Marian Wangadya, dismissed the case, directing the complainants out of the session. The 80-year-old grandmother, visibly aggrieved, expressed frustration, stating they wasted time and resources pursuing the case.
Wangadya noted any party dissatisfied could appeal to the High Court. In an interview, she clarified the case’s origin, highlighting a family dispute that escalated into violence between brothers. Wangadya emphasized the assailants acted as ordinary individuals, not as UPDF soldiers in the course of state employment.
The UHRC chief suggested allowing police investigations to proceed, potentially taking it as a criminal case to court. The complainants sought Shs1 billion compensation for the death of two relatives and harm inflicted by UPDF soldiers.
Wangadya defended their decision, stating judgments are based on evidence and the law, adhering to Ugandan legal standards.
