Kampala — The global human rights watchdog Amnesty International (AI) yesterday accused the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces of violating international law.

The criticism follows the execution, by firing squad, of three UPDF soldiers on Monday.

The organisation said that the executions demonstrate that the government is not willing to observe international human rights standards.

"The unfair trial and execution of the soldiers is in violation of Uganda's obligations to observe internationally recognised fair trial standards as contained in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights," AI said in a statement yesterday.

The UPDF executed Pte Richard Wigiri, Pte Kambacho Ssenyonjo and Pte Alfred Okech by firing squad.

The court-martial reportedly found Pte. Wigiri guilty of murdering Ms Monica Achiro in December.

The other two soldiers allegedly killed Mr Charles Labeja, Mr Patrick Olum and Mr Peter Ayela on 4 January.

The court-martial reportedly took only two days, and the accused reportedly had no access to legal representation.

"The failure of the Ugandan Government to prevent unfair trials and executions within the army can only demonstrate, both to the international community and to Ugandans themselves, that the Government is unwilling to respect human rights standards," said AI.

At least 200 local people witnessed the executions.

The organisation feels the executions are "scapegoats to give the impression that the army deals swiftly" with its members who commit crimes.

In March 2002 the UPDF executed two soldiers in Karamoja for the murder of an Italian priest and his two aides.

Cpl. James Omedio and Pte Abdullah Muhammed were executed after a trial lasting two hours and 36 minutes.