The Chairperson of Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Mariam Wangadya (pictured) has lashed out at the media fraternity for “exaggerating” torture cases in the country, to put her agency in bad light among the citizenry.
Wangadya made the strange remarks while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights that is investigating concerns raised by the Opposition on the skyrocketing cases of kidnap and torture perpetuated by security forces.
Wangadya said that although the media has been awash with reports of alleged human rights violations meted out on individuals and this has triggered concern about the role of various institutions in ensuring the human rights violations are curbed and perpetrators held accountable, some of these cases are fake.
“Whereas some of these cases are true and known to the Commission, I hasten to add that there appears to be deliberate efforts to use the media to portray heightened cases particularly torture which are exaggerated or not rightly true,” said Wangadya.
She went on to defend her controversial remarks citing the example of the demonstrations that recently took place at the United Nations office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, saying none of the seven demonstrators had ever filed a complaint with UHRC.
“W later learnt that one of them with an amputated leg is a victim of a car accident. I have personally tried to invite them to record statements with us on their alleged torture but they are not responsive,” she added.
Wangadya’s remarks attracted protest from MPs who tasked her to explain how the media is exaggerating these cases of torture.
“According to you, do we have torture in Uganda by security agencies? Because you are attempting to blame the media for highlighting the cases. She is saying the media is highlighting cases, for her that is the problem but the problem isn’t torture,” said Francis Mwijukye (Buhweju County MP).
James Baba (Koboka County MP) lashed out at the Commission for blaming the media yet the torture of citizens is happening in broad day light.
He said: “Of late what has been happening is shocking to the marrow, that this can happen under a government I support. I am surprised that the Chairperson is saying that most of what the media is portraying is exaggerated, when we see torture victims being brought to court limping, with wounds, and you say this is exaggerated and this is happening under our government, it is totally unacceptable.”
Wangadya informed Parliament that between January 2020- January 2022 there have been 1,204 cases reported and the highest being on torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment to a tune of 600 cases and that investigations into this particular category are in advanced stages.
Commenting about the torture allegations against author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, Wangadya blamed him for leaving the country without making an effort to file a complaint with the Commission.
However, Noeline Basemera (Kibaale District Woman MP) rubbished the report presented by UHRC, saying it is mean on details and truth.
“The report is limited on information. It does not indicate the outcomes of the investigations that they have done and yet it is the main interest of his committee. So what do we get from this report?,” said Basemera.
Crispin Kaheru, Commissioner was quick to try save face for the Uganda Human Rights Commission and promised to compile another report with details of the cases the commission has investigated and present them to the committee of Thursday next week.
Wangadya tried to buy sympathy from the Committee claiming she is being bullied and working under fear by some elements in society.
I should be able to freely express myself without being unfairly judged and bullied. I have a tough skin but at the end of the day, I am human. Indeed, there comes a time when I am scared. As to who bullies me, I am so scared that I cannot even mention the people who bully me,” Wangadya said.
The media should not publish fake torture reports.