The High Court Civil Division in Kampala has awarded a senior police officer ten million Shillings for violations of his right to personal liberty.
The officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Steven Mugarura in 2012 sued the then head of flying squad CP Herman Owomugisha and the Attorney General accusing police of violating his personal liberty by subjecting him to numerous unlawful arrests, detention and malicious prosecution contrary to article 23 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
Mugarura told court that in 2012, while serving as the Officer in Charge OC Criminal Investigations Directorate-CID of Kabarole Police Station, he encountered a notorious criminal gang that was robbing people’s properties across Uganda and started off an operation to have it investigated and brought before the law.
He says that in execution of his duties, he faced direct obstruction and confrontation from senior police officials who connived with the said criminals to unlawfully arrest, detain, torture and frame him with several charges.
He says they also deliberately denied him work and refused to re-deploy him despite being cleared by the authorities.
In his ruling after hearing both parties, Justice Musa Ssekaana found that the respondents adduced evidence that the applicant in 2017 was arrested and charged with irregular misconduct and withdrawal from duty or absence without leave, something that Mugarura did not challenge.
Justice Ssekaana hence awarded Mugarura 10 million Shillings as damages for the violation of his personal liberty with interest of 15% from the date of this ruling. ENDS
