The Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) has distanced itself from the allegations that its men tortured and raped National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter Marinos Alexandreos, aka Esther.
On Wednesday, Marinos, who has deep marks of torture, came out and narrated her torture ordeal at the hands of state security operatives. She stated that six security operatives who identified themselves as Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) operatives arrested her from her home in Mbuya.
According to Marinos, her torture was “supervised” by two officers, Elias and Hassan.
The UPDF spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Felix Kulaigye has denied the allegations, saying that she has never been in CMI detention nor was she kidnapped by any of the CMI officers.
“I have investigated and they are all not true, but fabrications, and I am making it public,” said Kulayigye.
Kulaigye also presented the two officers that Marinos accused of personally participating in the torture and alleged rape. These are; Hassan Ssengooba and Sergeant Ali Hassan Matovu.
“Facts are very clear that these two were nowhere near her on that day,” he said.
Kulayigye further said that on the day she claims to have been kidnapped, there is evidence that she spent the better part of the day talking to her friends on the phone.
“The days she alleges that she was in detention, she was engaged on the phone and talking with friends. Of course, you are aware that we can access telephone conversations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Parliament has summoned the Internal Affairs minister, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, over the alleged rape and torture of Marinos.