The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have topped the list of perpetrators of torture against the civilian population in the country, according to a new report.
The report by the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) titled, “Hope in The Midst of Uncertainty,” indicates that at least 257 people were allegedly tortured by the army in 2020.
Out of the over 250 who were reportedly tortured by the members of the government armed forces, 34 of the cases were blamed on Local Defence Personnel (LDUs).
The army have now overtaken Uganda Prisons Services and the Uganda Police Force (UPF) who were on top of the list of perpetrators of torture.
In total, 960 were tortured in 2020 in which the army was responsible for 39.1 percent of the cases registered.
They include 527 males and 433 females, among whom were 37 children (16 males and 21 females).
Other perpetrators of torture were Uganda Police Force (UPF) 327, private individuals (103), local council officials (14) and LRA rebels (149).
Others are prison warders (76), prison inmates (21), clan leaders (15), intelligence agencies (11), and private security guards (7).
The sharp rise in cases of torture in the country was blamed on the enforcement of COVID-19 rules.
