The Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka (pictured) has said that there is no offence committed by security forces if they use cars popularly known as ‘drones’ to arrest Ugandans, saying the use of sirens to go and arrest suspects would tip off suspects to run off before arrest.
“I can arrest you as a civilian using my private car, so how can it be illegal for police to use a civilian car? It isn’t illegal. What we need to be dealing with are the protocols and circumstances. Are you going to arrest a person who is accused of abuse of office using a drone? What kind of offences need discretion?” Kiwanuka said.
The Attorney General made the remarks while appearing before the Human Rights Committee of Parliament today.
When asked to clarify on the matter, Kiwanuka, said: “If Government says it is a government drone, government has accepted, however to say don’t use a drone and everyone must come in a uniform, it is ideal but it isn’t realistic and I don’t know whether it happens anywhere in the world.”
During the interface, MPs raised concern on the use of drones and re-arrest of suspects after receiving bail from courts or upon release from prisons.
“I am concerned about the manner involved in re-arresting these people and the violence involved. We saw how the two MPs Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West) and Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North), I don’t know whether that is the country we want to have,“ said Francis Mwijukye ((Buhweju County) said.
Fox Odoi, Chairperson Human Rights Committee informed Attorney General a recommendation made by Uganda Prisons to caution security agencies to approach prisons to hand over suspects in case there are other pending charges in order to avoid the violence and drama during these re-arrests.
Kiwanuka said that it is difficult to say do this make sure the person isn’t harmed and it wasn’t unconstitutional they would quietly arrest and not show anyone.
“A person within our territory can be rearrested as many times as the offences they commit. The grant of bail doesn’t immunize a person from arrest, a person whoever can’t be rearrested for the offence of which they have granted bail,” said Kiwanuka said.
The Attorney General also had no kind words for Ugandans on social media who have been pressurizing him to speak out on torture, warning Ugandans against hijacking mandate of judiciary, by turning social media into investigators, prosecutors and judges, and urged them to allow processes put in place to deal with torture perpetrators.
“Unfortunately, we have a challenge that is coming up, it is so difficult to prosecute cases because every Ugandan has now become an investigator and master of knowledge. That isn’t the way it works, there are processes that we go through and when we keep quiet about these issues, it isn’t because we condemn them, it is because we want to respect the process being taken so that results being undertaken aren’t tainted,” he said.
Kiwanuka added, “Social media hears a matter, tries and convicts you, everyone else operating in that space has convicted you we need to be careful. So when I see people on my social media say something about Kakwenza, say what? I am not a medical officer, I am not an investigator, the constitutional has given you who investigates.”
On the trial of civilians in court martial, Kiryowa said he finds no fault in it and advised Ugandans not to own illegal arms to avoid appearing before the court martial.
“It is very easy for a civilian to avoid court martial just don’t get an illegal gun, “ he said.
