By Elly On
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KIREKA, UGANDA-Two Kenyans, a lawyer and a human rights activists, were illegally arrested and detained without due process in Uganda on September 15, 2010.

The two activists, Al-Amin Kimathi and Mbugua Mereithi were arrested at Entebbe International Airport on September 15, 2010 upon their arrival. They were taken to the headquarters of Ugandan police’s Rapid Response Unit located in Kireka, Kampala. The unit is known for brutal violations, torture, extrajudicial executions, and illegal detainment of criminal suspects.

The two activists were travelling to Uganda to attend the scheduled hearing of suspects who were charged with terrorism for bombings that took place in Kampala on July 11, 2010. The bombings resulted in death of 70 people who were taching a World Cup soccer match in Kampala. Upon arrival at the airport, the two activists were taken by the Ugandan police and never appeared to the hearing scheduled for September 16, 2010. Rwakafuuzi, the lawyer representing some of the suspects, found out that both of the activists were taken to Kireka. It is unclear as to what grounds they were arrested for.

The Rapid Response Unit, formerly known as the Violent Crack Crimes Unit, is known for its torturing and killing its suspects. In September 2009, a journalist named Robert Kalundi Sserumaga was arrested, beaten and held overnight in Kireka for making remarks about Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s upbringing. Recently, at least two suspects have died in Kirekia while being held by the agents of Rapid Response Unit. In both cases, suspects were beaten to death during interrogations for alleged theft.

For More Information, Please See:

Associated Press-Ugandan Police Arrest 2 Kenyan Rights Activists – 17 September 2010
BBC News-Kenyans Held in Uganda over Kampala World Cup Attack – 17 September 2010
Human Rights Watch Uganda-Kenyan Activists at Risk of Torture – 17 September 2010