Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers, who were seen flogging a suspected thief in a video, have been remanded to Kitgum Prison.
The five soldiers were arraigned before the 505 brigade unit disciplinary court, chaired by Lt Col ML Kiggundu, where they were charged with torture and inflicting harm on a civilian identified as Omon Nelson.
The five are Cpl Odong Richard Burton, Pte Omara Martine Henry, Pte Mongu Acel Sunday, Pte Ogwang Denis and Pte Omara Morish. These are said to have been part of a group that flogged Omon Nelson on December 11th at a local UPDF-Dtach in Kitgum.
The soldiers denied the charges read before them and were remanded until Friday (today), when they will reappear before the 5th Division Court Martial.
UPDF Spokesperson Felix Kulayigye said in a statement on December 13th that Onem had been arrested by locals, accusing him of theft. Onem was subjected to corporal punishment by flogging at the watch of the LC3-Chairman and GISO.
The UPDF spokesperson condemned the act, saying no one has a right to subject another to corporal punishment.
“The UPDF condemns mob justice, whether by civilians or soldiers. No one has a right to administer such punishment as corporal punishment and any form of torture are unconstitutional in the laws of Uganda,” he said.
Kulayigye said UPDF would continue to ensure observance of the rule of law. However, the UPDF spokesperson didn’t disclose the actual number of soldiers that have been arrested for taking part in the act.