Uganda’s anthropologist, activist Dr Stella Nyanzi popularly known as Nnalongo ‘Owenene’ has blasted Uganda police for brutal treatment of suspects arrested and detained in police cells.
Dr Nyanzi was reacting on the recent peaceful protesters of the newly launched ‘No, Nedda’ campaign of the United Forces of Change.
Police brutality or police violence is legally defined as a civil rights violation where officers exercise undue or excessive force against a subject.
Last week People Power Movement leaders also Kyadondo East MP Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu and People’s government president Rtd Col Dr Kiiza Besiggye launched a campaign calling for accountability of Covid-19 funds called ‘No, Nedda.’
Many youths who take part in these demonstrations are being arrested by the police and charged with noise pollution.
“Why do police officers squeeze the balls, scrotums and penises of male peaceful protesters during arrest? Why do policemen injure the loins and limbs of peaceful protesters during arrest? Why does the police unleash violent canes and blows on peaceful protesters in Uganda?,’ says Dr Stella Nyanzi.
Eight peaceful protesters were arrested for banging their pots and pans on Salaama Road in Makindye on Tuesday of this week, according to Dr.Nyanzi.
‘Their protest was part of the No Nedda Campaign announced on Monday morning at the seminal presser of the united forces for change,’ she said.
Dr Stella Nyanzi told Whisper Eye that demonstrators who were arrested from Salaama road in Makindye were driven around Kampala city, they were first detained at Nateete Police Station on Tuesday.
They were transferred to Katwe Police Station on Wednesday afternoon and arraigned in Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court in the evening.
‘With neither legal representation nor sureties, they were remanded to Kitarya maximum Prison until 22nd June 2020, explains Dr Nyanzi.”
It is said that they were injured during arrest, and none received medical care during their detention in the police cells.
Family, friends and comrades in struggle filled the courtyard at Makindye Court, the police barred the public from accessing the court proceedings.
Among those arrested include; Musiri David, Male Kenneth, Kato Owen, Wasswa Peter, Musisi Eddie, Kibirige Emmanuel, Kaddu Sadat, and Kyazze Muhammad.
Stella Nyanzi was born on16 June 1974.
She is a Ugandan medical anthropologist, feminist, queer rights activist, and scholar of sexuality, family planning, and public health.
She was also arrested in 2017 for insulting president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
