Kampala — THE Uganda Human Rights Commission has directed the government to pay Shs20 million as compensation to two men who were tortured by security forces.

In her April 2007 judgement, Commissioner Ms Veronica Eragu Bichetero ordered the government to pay Shs8 million to Mr Nicholas Leza, of Nebbi District and Shs12 million to Mr Abas Salim of Adjumani town.

The two men were on separate occasions tortured by UPDF soldiers and policemen.

The victims filed separate petitions before UHRC seeking compensation for damages resulting from torture and illegal confinement.

Ms Bichetero said in the ruling that she was satisfied that Mr Leza had the right to protection and his constitutional rights violated when he was detained for over 48 hours by the police without being produced in court.

"The Attorney General is therefore ordered to pay him Shs8 million damages for the violation of his rights", Ms Bichetero's ruling reads in part. Ms Bichetero's judgement further contends that the second victim, Mr Noha Salim proved that he was detained in police cells for 41 days without being produced in court, which violated his liberty.

The Tribunal heard that in July 2004, the UPDF soldiers tortured Mr Salim on allegations that he murdered two white men in Yumbe. The soldiers reportedly handed him to Paidha Police Station where he was detained for several days without being produced in court.

Mr Noha Salim told the Tribunal that his brother Mr Abas Salim, was detained at Yumbe Police Station for 5 days and latter transferred to Arua Police Station where he spent 36 days.

Mr Salim Abas, the brother to Noha Salim testified that on the fateful day, police ransacked his Noha's home where they picked Shs2.5 million and other property. He was released after 41 days after investigations had revealed that he had no hand in the murder.