FDC condemns killing of terror suspects by security operatives

The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party has condemned the killing of suspects by Police or any other security agency. The development follows the killings of some suspects in last week’s twin bombings in Kampala.

While addressing the Party’s weekly press conference at the headquarters in Najjanankumbi, the FDC spokesperson Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda noted that it has become very common to kill suspects who moreover are handcuffed.

“The standard claim by Police is that the suspects were confronting their personnel or were attempting to flee. Sheik Muhammad Kilevu is the latest victim of this state-inspired killing. While as a party, we cannot affirm Sheik Kilevu’s innocence or guilt, we condemn his murder because that is not what our Constitution provides” Ssemujju said.

He adds that Article 28 of the Ugandan Constitution presumes every suspect innocent until proved guilty or until that person pleads guilty, so the killing of Sheik Kilevu, therefore, qualifies as extrajudicial killing, and those who committed it, will one day be personally held responsible.

According to Ssemujju, all the earlier suspects in the attempted assassination of Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala were murdered by Police and military men in suspicious circumstances. They were first arrested, handcuffed, blindfolded, driven around and then shot dead.

“This is deliberate and it appears to be the new policy of the Museveni administration. In fact, those that were not murdered were severely tortured. An embarrassed Museveni came out to condemn torture. The latest Museveni is however now justifying the extrajudicial murder of Sheik Kilevu. Our Constitution, Penal Code, and Anti-Terrorism Act provide severe punishment for murderers and terrorists. Why not present evidence before a special court, have the suspects sentenced to death, and sign a certificate to have them hanged” he added.

Ssemujju noted that they are not condemning Police for arresting anyone, but that killing suspects creates suspicion as to whether they were guilty in the first place. This is unacceptable and it must stop immediately.