Social media reports, especially from opposition figures like Bobi Wine, have been making rounds claiming that Mityana Municipality legislator Hon Francis Zaake was tortured while in Police detention at Special Investigations Division (SIU) in Kireka.
In a statement issued by Twiine Mansio Charles, PRO Criminal Investigations Directorate this evening, Police refuted torture claims. According to Twiine, Hon. Zaake was arrested while ill.
“Hon. Zaake through his lawyers complained of ill health, which prompted the Police to have him examined. Indeed an examination was conducted by the Uganda Police Medical team in the presence of his Lawyers, personal Doctors as well as his dear wife, whereby the team unanimously agreed that some treatment be extended to him,” Police said in a statement.
Zaake is currently undergoing treatment at Iran –Uganda Hospital Naguru and police say he is very conscious and in stable conditions.
He was arrested on April 19 from his residence in Mityana, and detained on allegations of doing a negligent act likely to spread an infection of disease, and Disobedience of Lawful orders.
It is alleged that without authority from the National/District Anti- Covid-19 task force and without any precautionary measure, Zaake distributed food to the people in total disregard of the government directives in the fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
The investigations upon his arrest were expeditiously conducted, and the charges were accordingly sanctioned by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.