“I Only Need Justice” - Unlawful Detention and Abuse in Unauthorized Places of Detention in Uganda

Author:: Human Rights Watch
Publisher:: Human Rights Watch
Publication Date:: 22 March 2022
Tags:: Uganda, Legal and Judicial Affairs

Since at least 2018, Ugandan security forces have unlawfully detained and tortured many people, including government critics and opposition supporters, often in unsanctioned or unauthorized places of detention. Some of these locations, somewhat ironically termed "safehouses," are residential buildings converted by the authorities to be used for witness protection. In fact, they operate as makeshift detention centers under the authority of the Internal Security Organization (ISO), Uganda's domestic intelligence body. Human Rights Watch calls on the government of Uganda to immediately close all so-called safehouses and other unauthorized detention centers. The authorities should immediately release all detainees held in such places of detention or bring them promptly before a court to be charged with a cognizable offense. The court should release detainees on bail or if there are legal grounds and it is justified in the circumstances could remand a prisoner to the custody of the Uganda Prisons Service. The ISO, UPDF and other security agencies should immediately disclose the whereabouts of all those subjected to enforced disappearances.

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“I Only Need Justice” - Unlawful Detention and Abuse in Unauthorized Places of Detention in Uganda

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