UHRC Tribunal Awards Widow UGX55m

The Uganda Human Rights Commission-UHRC Tribunal has awarded 55 million shillings in compensation to a woman, Betty Atwebembeire, following the death of her husband. 

The tribunal awarded the money as general damages for the violation of Denis Mugabirwe Mbagira’s right to life, with a 10 percent annual interest accruing from the date of the ruling until the payment is made in full.

The complaint was filed against the Attorney General by Kashisha Justus, a resident of Karangako, Nyamabare Kabunga Rukungiri District, and the father of the deceased.

Kashisha accused police officers of Rukungiri Central Police Station of arresting, detaining and beating his son severely, which resulted in his death.

However, Atwebembeire, a resident of Kinyasano, took over the case as the administrator.

In its ruling on Thursday, the tribunal, chaired by the UHRC Chairperson, Mariam Wangadya, noted that Mugabirwe was a young man when his life was brutally snatched from him by the state agents. They added that at the time of his death, 

he was employed as a teacher at Makobore High School and was ably providing for his family.

The tribunal further states that Mugabirwe was arrested over a flimsy offense of idleness and disorderly and the evidence showed that the deceased was savagely beaten, leading to the tearing of his stomach, and he died in pain and agony.

The tribunal contended that the actions of the policemen were brutal, malicious, intentional, deliberate, arbitrary, sadistic, cruel, oppressive, barbaric, dehumanizing, arrogant, criminal, and impossible to justify noting that they did opposite of what their basic role is; to protect the people of Uganda and their properties.

Atwebembire welcomed the ruling, saying she has waited for justice for 15 years and hopes the government will respect the ruling.

On March 30 2010, Mugabirwe was arrested by policemen of Rukungiri Central Police Station on allegations of being idle and disorderly. He was detained and released on bond the following day. 

It was further alleged that while in detention, the policemen severely beat him and inflicted on him injuries which resulted in his death on 12th of April 2010 at Kisiizi Hospital.