POLICE WANT 48 HOUR RULE OF DETENTION AMENDED

By; Francis Lubega

Uganda Police Force (UPF) has revealed plans to cause an amendment in the 48 hour rule of detention.

This was revealed during a meeting between the Member of Parliament (MPs) on the Human Rights Committee and a police delegation led by the State Minister for Internal Affairs, Mario Obiga Kania, the IGP, Martin Ochola and the Deputy IGP, Mzeeyi Sabiiti.

The team was facing the MPs to respond to issues raised by the Uganda Human Rights Commission in their 19th Annual report.

According to the report, police has continued to flout the 48 Hour rule which provides for the production of suspects before a Court of law within 48 hours after their arrest.

The commission recommended that the police force should adhere to the law and equip its officers with the necessary facilities to enable them efficiently perform their duties and fulfill the constitutional obligation to bring suspects to Court within 48 hours.

However, in response, the Police Director Human Rights and legal service Erasmas Twarukuhwa noted that they face a number of challenges in enforcing this rule, some of which are not their own making.

The police delegation wants exceptions in this rule to include cases committed across borders or within borders but whose investigations require movements across the country and capital cases that require extensive investigations like murder and terrorism.

This response didn’t go well with the legislators sitting on the Committee, who noted that the amendment is uncalled for and will be fought at all levels.