Document - Uganda: Further Information on Fear for safety / Incommunicado detention/ Fear of torture or ill-treatment / medical concern.
PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 59/002/2003
22 January 2003
Further Information on UA 15/03 (AFR 59/001/2003, 16 January 2003) Fear for safety/ Incommunicado detention/ Fear of torture or ill-treatment / medical concern
UGANDA Dan Mugarura (m), aged approximately 45, retired army lieutenant
Pascal Gakyaro (m), aged 50, Civil Aviation Authority supervisor
New names: Francis Ogwang Olebe (m), former banker
Charles Ekemu (m), occupation unknown
Dan Tumusime (m), founder of Uganda Art for Peace organization
Dr Peter Eriaku (m), veterinary surgeon
Ismail Nyonga (m), petrol station attendant
Pascal Gakyaro and Dan Mugarura have been charged with treason and are currently being held on remand at Kigo Prison, near the capital Kampala. They both have access to family and lawyers. Pascal Gakyaro was charged on 20 January and Dan Mugarura on 21 January, allegedly after being handed over to the police by intelligence officers. According to media reports, the charges against the men relate to alleged links between members of the Reform Agenda (RA) opposition group and the rebel People’s Redemption Army (PRA).
Two other RA supporters, Francis Ogwang Olebe and Charles Ekemu, were charged with treason on 21 January, reportedly for the same reason. Exact details of the charges against the four men are not known, but Amnesty International fears they may be politically motivated.
Three other men also linked to the RA group, Dan Tumusime, Peter Eriaku and Ismail Nyonga, were arrested in early January. They are being held incommunicado at an unknown location and are at risk of torture or ill treatment. Like Pascal Gakyaro and Dan Mugarura, all three men were arrested without a warrant, by armed security personnel in plain clothes. Dan Tumusime was arrested on 7 January in Kampala. Peter Eriaku was arrested on 9 January in Soroti Town, northeast of Kampala. Ismail Nyonga was arrested on 11 January at the petrol station in Kampala, owned by Dan Mugarura, where he works. It is not known where they were taken.
Dan Tumusime and Peter Eriaku are supporters of the RA. Dan Tumusime, a fine arts graduate, was reportedly an active member of the RA during the 2001 presidential elections, and also founded Uganda Art for Peace, a non-profit-making organization promoting peace education through art. Peter Eriaku reportedly supported opposition presidential candidate Aggrey Awori during the 2001 elections, and has unsuccessfully contested a seat in parliament. Ismail Nyonga is an employee of Dan Mugarura, but it is not known if he supports the RA.
At least eight men with links to the RA have now been arrested, with many more alleged to be in custody.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:
- welcoming the news that Dan Mugarura and Pascal Gakyaro have access to their families and lawyers;
- seeking further information about the charges against Dan Mugarura, Pascal Gakyaro and others linked to the Reform Agenda (RA) group;
- expressing concern that the arrests of those linked to the RAgroup may be politically motivated;
- calling for all those charged to be given a prompt and fair trial conforming to international standards;
- expressing concern for the safety of Dan Tumusime, Peter Eriaku and Ismail Nyonga;
- urging the authorities to make public the whereabouts of Dan Tumusime, Peter Eriaku and Ismail Nyonga, and to ensure that they will not be tortured or ill-treated;
- calling on the authorities to guarantee that Dan Tumusime, Peter Eriaku and Ismail Nyonga will have access to relatives, lawyers and appropriate medical treatment;
- urging the authorities to end unlawful arrests of those perceived to be government critics.
APPEALS TO:
President of the Republic of Uganda
President Yoweri MUSEVENI
Office of the President
Parliament Building
PO Box 7168
Kampala, Uganda
Telegram: President Museveni, Kampala, Uganda
Fax: + 256 41 235459/ 344012/346102
Email: info@gouexecutive.net
Salutation: Your Excellency
Attorney General
Mr Francis AYUME
Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
PO Box 7183
Kampala, Uganda
Telegram: Attorney General, Kampala, Uganda
Fax: + 256 41 254829/230538/230539
Salutation: Dear Sir
Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI)
Colonel Noble MAYOMBO
C/O Ministry of Defence
PO Box 7069
Kampala, Uganda
Telegram: Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, Kampala, Uganda
Fax: + 256 41 349462
Salutation: Dear Colonel
Inspector General of Police
Major General Katumba WAMALA
Uganda Police Force Headquarters
PO Box 7055
Kampala, Uganda
Telegram: Inspector General of Police, Kampala, Uganda
Fax: +256 41 343531/255630
Salutation: Dear Inspector
COPIES TO: Diplomatic representatives of Uganda accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 5 March 2003.