I am a Ugandan who is passionate about human rights. Actually, I have laboured to defend human rights since my childhood days. In 1996, I successfully championed a revolution in my secondary school called Kigarama Senior Secondary School. At the time, all the leaders were appointed by the Headmaster even after wasting students' time voting. I led other like-minded comrades in senior four then. These colleagues included Julius Twinomuhangi, Onesmus Ainembabazi, Esau Tumwesigye, Akampa Ronald, Matsiko Patrick, Sam among others. But also we had our sisters, Syson, Annet, Enid together with some serious students in junior classes. I am telling you, things have never been the same. When I joined Makerere, I was always at the fore front of students leadership and I opposed injustice of any sort. If you asked Mr. Ekudu John the Dean of students, Professor Edward Kirumira, the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr Salie Simba Kayunga of the political science Department, Professor Murindwa-Rutanga of political science Department, Dr. AB Rukooko and Professor John-Jean Barya will tell you what kind of person I am.
My Lecturer Professor Aaron Mukwaya told me my arrest, detention and torture was for purposes of testing my aptitude and resilience. I must make it crystal clear that I will never ever bow before this government given its high level mismanagement of our society. Uganda ratified the UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT 1984) on June 26th, 1987. Every right thinking person knows very well that there is no justification for torture whatsoever. The Inspector General of Police who ironically is a "Lawyer" knows very well I was tortured. Paradoxically, he did nothing about my plight. Can you imagine! I will give all the details of torture in Uganda next time but I must call upon all peace-loving Ugandans to be shrewd and vigilant. We must not expect these hopeless institutions which have been personalised to do anything in defence of our rights. Wake up from your slumber lovely Ugandans.
