Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate for the Kawempe North by-election, has sued the government over alleged torture and illegal detention by security operatives.
Mr Nalukoola filed the lawsuit in the High Court’s Civil Division, accusing the Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force (JATT), operating under the Uganda Police Force, of subjecting him to brutal treatment.
He claims he was violently arrested on February 26, 2025, the day of his nomination, by hooded security officers dressed in black police attire.
In his affidavit, he alleges that he was thrown to the ground, beaten with electric cables, punched, kicked, and stripped, describing the ordeal as an attempt to sabotage his political ambitions.
“The wanton beating, flogging, and deliberate infliction of severe pain infringed on my fundamental human rights,” he said.
The suit details multiple human rights violations, including illegal detention at Kawempe Police Station for four hours without charge.
Mr Nalukoola says he was denied medical treatment and forced into a drone van, where he was “stuffed beneath the rear seat and continuously punched and stepped on.”
He argues that the actions of masked security officers using unregistered vehicles to carry out arrests violated his constitutional right to dignity and freedom from torture.
He seeks court declarations confirming the rights violations, compensation for damages, medical and psychological rehabilitation, a public apology from the government, and assurances of non-repetition.
The Attorney General has been named as the respondent, and the High Court is expected to set a hearing date soon.
