Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP) Joel Ssenyonyi has called on Ugandans who have fallen victim to assaults by masked security personnel of the Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force (JAT) to take legal action against the Attorney General.
Ssenyonyi made this bold statement while addressing the public asserting that the deliberate concealment of identity by security forces has made it increasingly difficult to hold individual perpetrators accountable.
The call for legal action comes amidst growing reports of brutality particularly during political protests and security crackdowns.
Ssenyonyi emphasized that masked officers often deployed to suppress protests operate with impunity under the guise of anonymity. According to him, the Attorney General as the chief legal representative of the government must bear the responsibility for state actions and misconduct.
“Security personnel hiding behind masks is a calculated move to evade justice. If we cannot identify them individually then we must hold the state accountable through the Attorney General. We cannot allow such impunity to thrive in our country,” Ssenyonyi stated.
The issue of masked security forces has been a controversial topic in Uganda especially in politically charged situations.
Opposition members, activists and journalists have often reported being assaulted by individuals clad in dark masks and military gear raising concerns about the erosion of accountability in law enforcement.
Victims have found it difficult to identify their attackers leading to a cycle of abuse with no legal consequences.
Ssenyonyi’s remarks have ignited fresh debate on human rights and security reform in Uganda. Legal experts have weighed in, affirming that the government can indeed be sued for the actions of its security agencies.
“The state is vicariously liable for the conduct of its employees. If a security officer whether masked or not, commits an unlawful act in their official capacity, the Attorney General is the rightful party to be sued.”
However, the government informed the parliament that without evidence nothing can be done and the complaint must come with evidence to prove their accusations.
Security agencies continue to defend the use of masked personnel as a necessary tactic for national security operations and protective measure.
Despite such justifications, opposition figures and civil society organizations remain firm in their demand for transparency and accountability.
Human rights watchdogs have long accused Ugandan security forces of operating outside legal frameworks, citing numerous instances of abductions, torture and extrajudicial violence against opposition figures.
Ssenyonyi’s call to sue the Attorney General marks yet another chapter in the ongoing battle between opposition leaders and the state over governance, rule of law and human rights.
