By Mulengera Reporters
The Chairperson Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Mariam Wangadya says that, although she has always been very reluctant to escalate matters to that level, the laws of Uganda mandate her to even issue arrest warrants ordering the arrest of government officials, including top army generals, who defy her orders relating to protection and enforcement of human rights provisions for the good of Ugandan citizens.
During a Wednesday media interview at her Rumee Towers-based UHRC offices, Wangadya told the Mulengera News crew that it’s true, as Erias Lukwago had asserted days earlier, that the Constitution mandates and empowers her to order or cause the arrest of anyone found in contempt of her human rights protection-related orders.
Lukwago demanded that Wangadya escalates her prior release order, in favor of Bobi Wine’s chief bodyguard Eddy Mutwe, by issuing an arrest warrant against CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba who had owned up and declared that Eddy Mutwe was in his basement learning how to speak Runyankore.
During the Wednesday interview, Wangadya admitted this was all true that she is vested with such powers but she is also obligated to exercise the same reasonably, not arbitrarily.
That some of these matters are very sensitive and require her to act judiciously and prudently even when she is well vested with such powers. But even when this is the case, Wangadya refused to rule out the possibility of issuing such arrest orders should the situation warrant so.
She prayed that the human rights violations situation in the country gets deescalated and she also registered her desire never to see the CDF or even any other person, rather than the Uganda Police Force, being or getting involved into matters relating to the arrest of anyone.
She suggested that all leaders, especially in security, deliberately read the Constitution and other laws so that they get to know their limits.
She said everyone has a duty to protect human rights while promoting enjoyment of the same. She said this obligation extends to all manner of Ugandan army generals against whom she said the UHRC won’t hesitate cracking the whip against.
She read out several provisions of the Constitution which mandate her Commission to confront those violating human rights of citizens including ordering for their arrest, in case they defy the Commission’s orders, just like Erias Lukwago suggested at his Katonga Road news conference of a few days ago. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
