Uganda sees killings, human rights abuses during COVID-19 lockdown

KAMPALA, Uganda

People were killed and cases of human rights abuse were recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda, a rights body said on Monday.

The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) disclosed a total of 40 cases of human rights violations, including deaths, were registered during the recent 42-day lockdown.

At least five people were reportedly killed by the army and police while enforcing COVID-19 guidelines.

In a statement, Idah Nakiganda, a commission official, said: “The cases recorded include those of allegations of torture, and detention beyond 48 hours by the security agencies.”

She said the central region, which includes the country’s capital Kampala, recorded 20 of the total violations.

Those killed include a teacher Eric Mutasiga, Robert Senyonga who was killed on July 7 in eastern Uganda town of Jinja, Ismah Lubega who was killed on July 28 in Kampala, and a 9-year-old girl killed in the eastern Uganda district of Butaleja.

Although the partial lockdown is still on, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni eased the restrictions that started on June 16 till July 30, allowing some sectors of the economy to resume operations following a consistent drop in positivity rate of COVID-19 cases from the highest of 22% to the current average of 8%.

According to Uganda’s Health Ministry, the East African country has so far recorded 94,904 cases and 2,752 related deaths, with 87,633 recoveries. Only 1.15 million people out of a population of 44 million have been vaccinated.