By HICGI STAFF- Updated at 12:41 EAT on Tuesday 26th March 2024

This early morning, as I embarked on a boda ride heading towards town, little did I know that I would encounter a harrowing experience at the Centenary Park roundabout. Makana Kennedy, a victim of unwarranted police aggression, recounts the distressing events that unfolded.

As our boda approached Centenary Park roundabout, a group of police officers conducting a boda operation halted our journey. Without explanation, they demanded that both Makana Kennedy and the boda driver dismount. Compliance was immediate, hoping to defuse any escalating tension.

However, the situation took a turn for the worse when Makana’s boda driver was separated from him, leaving him vulnerable and isolated. Suddenly, Makana found himself being handcuffed, the metal restraints painfully digging into his flesh as the officer pressed them forcefully. Shockingly, Makana was then subjected to physical assault, enduring a slap across the face, and his phone was forcefully confiscated.

Refusing to surrender his phone password initially, Makana was subjected to further torment as the officer continued to tighten the handcuffs, causing excruciating pain. Eventually, succumbing to the unbearable pressure, Makana relented, providing access to his phone. Despite complying, the violation of privacy persisted as the officer delved into personal information, demanding access to social media accounts, which Makana vehemently refused to divulge.

Throughout this ordeal, Makana’s cries for clarity regarding his alleged offense fell on deaf ears as the officer remained silent, his actions devoid of any justification. The distressing scene was compounded by the presence of onlookers, who, instead of intervening, seemed to revel in the abuse of power unfolding before them.

Only through the persistent outcry of Makana’s boda driver was he eventually released from the clutches of the oppressive authority. However, the damage had already been done—Makana’s phone was forcibly reset, erasing valuable data and leaving him emotionally scarred.

The flagrant disregard for basic human rights exhibited by the Uganda Police is utterly reprehensible. Makana Kennedy’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the impunity with which such entities operate, trampling on the rights of innocent citizens with impunity.

As Makana continues to grapple with the trauma inflicted upon him, it is imperative that his story serves as a catalyst for change. The unwarranted harassment and infringement upon fundamental rights by law enforcement cannot be tolerated, and those responsible must be held accountable for their actions.

In the face of adversity, Makana finds solace in the resilience demonstrated by his boda driver and remains steadfast in his resolve to seek justice for the egregious violation he endured at the hands of the Uganda Police.