Photo Courtesy of Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga
Two days after Uganda Muslim Lawyers Association –UMLA threatened to sue police officers who broke into the home of Sheikh Yunus Kamoga and brutalized teenagers he was allegedly radicalizing, police have reminded Ugandans that they have powers to break into any premises.
UMLA members led by their president Ali Kankaka, condemned military and police for breaking into Kamoga’s home and clobbering the teenagers and youth who were found at his home. The lawyers vowed to sue each and every security person who was captured by Closed Circuit Television –CCTV cameras assaulting, and kicking the helpless victims.
Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson said the only challenge is that the officers did not display the right professional attitude, the force and the public expected of them. He said the abusive and excessive use of force, violated both the police code of conduct and the rights of victims.
“Every lawyer in this country, knows very well, that the police have powers to break-in or out of any premise, if there are reasonable grounds. It was therefore, not unlawful to break and enter into the home,” Enanga said.
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Police have said that 13 officers who participated in the raid have been suspended, and scheduled to appear before the disciplinary court. Police said they also remain under investigation for torture and aggressive behaviour, pending retrieval of medical forms issued to the victims.
“As the Joint Security Agencies, we remain committed to investigating all instances of torture or civil rights violations against all Ugandans, including Muslims. As we pledge to work with all religious leaders, its important for all Ugandans to know that the war on terror is still on, and not aimed at any ethnic group or religion,” Enanga said.
Enanga has said it has a duty to apply appropriate scrutiny, when folks have significant foreign national contacts, recruiting children and radicalising them, or having linkages with hostile groups like the ADF.
Although, the President of the UMLA, Kankaka Ali, accuses the Police Spokesperson for telling lies and innuendos, Enanga said they find it important for Kamoga to avail the public with clear records of the alleged rehabilitation centre, and consent forms of parents.
Security also wants Kamoga to show entry records or visas of children from the DRC and Rwanda, the teaching curriculum at the centre, records of graduates and their whereabouts among others.
“We pledge to continue working together with the entire Muslim fraternity, in order to combat negative misconceptions of violence and hatred by Law Enforcement Personnel. And further promote values that advocate tolerance, dialogue and acceptance of each other,” Enanga said.