By Ben Musanje
As the world commemorates the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, four former employees of Spiro Uganda have come forward with allegations of torture, sexual harassment and intimidation, accusing senior company officials of orchestrating acts of violence against workers suspected of involvement in fraud-related incidents.
The former employees claim they were subjected to physical abuse and degrading treatment at the company’s head office along Port Bell Road in Kampala between June 9 and June 14, 2026. They say the alleged abuse occurred during internal investigations into suspected theft and inventory discrepancies involving company property, particularly electric motorcycle batteries.
The complainants – Aisha Namuhooya, Kevin Wanda, Aram Sakari and Lucky Ruth Acio – allege that the acts were carried out on the orders of several company supervisors and managers. Those named include Raymond Kaboyo, the Manager of the Repossession Department; Emmanuel Wonyaka, Supervisor for the Eastern Region; Akram Mathias Mugabe from the Sales Department; Winnie Nakanwagi; Gerald Rama; and other company officials.
The allegations were made public during an engagement on June 25, 2026 organized by the Uganda Law Society (ULS) to mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. During the event, the legal body presented the alleged victims before the media and announced that it had intervened to provide legal assistance to help them seek justice through the appropriate legal and human rights institutions.
According to the Uganda Law Society, the survivors deserve access to legal representation and protection while pursuing accountability. The society said it would continue supporting the complainants as investigations into the allegations are pursued.
According to the complainants, employees accused of wrongdoing were allegedly taken to a secluded room behind the company’s warehouse where they were beaten and forced to confess to offences.
Aisha Namuhooya recounted what she described as a traumatic experience after she was allegedly taken to the room.
“I found approximately twelve men inside the room. One young man was lying on the floor. His shirt was torn, and he appeared to have been severely beaten. There was also a young woman in the room. The men were holding electric cables and sticks. From what I observed, they had been assaulting the individuals in the room,” she said.
She claimed the room was used to interrogate employees outside any formal disciplinary procedures and that several workers were physically assaulted before being questioned.
Another complainant, Wanda Kevin, alleged that he was beaten after being accused of stealing a battery from one of the company’s substations.
“In my case, I was taken to the warehouse and accused of stealing a battery from the substation. That allegation was completely false. I repeatedly tried to explain that I had done nothing wrong, but the beatings became so severe that I eventually began saying things I did not know and admitting to matters that were not true,” Kevin said.
He maintains that the confession was extracted under duress and insists he had no involvement in the alleged theft.
Aram Sakari, another former employee, alleged that violence had become a routine response whenever management detected discrepancies in inventory records.
According to Sakari, teams of men allegedly arrived carrying handcuffs, sticks and other objects used to intimidate and assault workers suspected of responsibility for missing batteries or inconsistencies in the company’s inventory management system.
“I still bear physical marks from the assault. I sustained injuries on different parts of my body, including my back and buttocks. The pain was severe and lasted for weeks. Some of the men who participated in the beatings appeared to have military backgrounds or conducted themselves like soldiers,” Aram claimed.
He further alleged that employees feared reporting the incidents because they believed doing so could result in retaliation or loss of employment.
Lucky Ruth Acio also accused the company of fostering an environment where workers allegedly faced torture, sexual harassment and other forms of mistreatment. She claimed such incidents were commonly reported by employees, particularly during the beginning of each month when stock reconciliation and operational reviews were conducted.
She further alleged that many affected employees remained silent out of fear of reprisals.
The four complainants also accused sections of Spiro Uganda’s management of intimidating former employees against publicly discussing their experiences. They claimed threats and warnings discouraged several potential witnesses from speaking to authorities or the media.
Their legal representative, Advocate Anthony Jjumba, said he intends to petition the Uganda Human Rights Commission to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
He said the petition would seek an independent inquiry into the claims and establish whether the complainants’ constitutional rights were violated.
“The allegations raised are serious and require a thorough investigation by the relevant authorities. We intend to petition the Uganda Human Rights Commission so that all the facts can be established. Should the allegations be substantiated, appropriate legal action should be taken against those responsible,” Jjumba said.
The allegations emerge as Uganda joins the international community in commemorating the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, observed annually on June 26. The day highlights the need to eradicate torture and ensure accountability for perpetrators while promoting justice and rehabilitation for survivors.
Human rights advocates have consistently maintained that allegations of torture, whether committed by state or non-state actors, warrant prompt, impartial and independent investigations to ensure justice for victims and adherence to the rule of law.
By the time of publication, Spiro Uganda had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in this story. Efforts to obtain a comment from the company were ongoing. The company’s response will be incorporated once received.
The allegations have not been tested in court, and no findings have yet been made by the Uganda Human Rights Commission or any other competent authority regarding the claims. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
