GULU– The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Tribunal sitting in Gulu City on Monday 1st September 2025, has awarded Shillings 115m to different victims of violation of Human Rights and Freedoms.
The Awards were among the several decisions and rulings delivered today at the commencement of a week-long Tribunal Sessions that are being chaired by the Chairperson Hon. Mariam Wangadya at the UHRC Gulu Regional Offices. Other members of the panel have been; Hon. Shifrah Lukwago, Hon. Simeo Nsubuga and Hon. Jacklet Atuhaire Rwabukurukuru.
One of the decisions read by Hon. Atuharire on behalf of the panel arose on October 13, 2003 when Pte Okello Ocii of Juliet Battalion intentionally shot and killed Apio Grace, Agnes Atuku and severely injured Doris Adong – aged 14 year then.
Apio’s brother Lawrence Opio filed a complaint to the commission seeking to hold government vicariously liable for violating his sister’s right to life while Adong brought the complaint in her own right for the violation of her freedom from Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
In testimony given to the Commission heard, was that the soldier first attempted to kill Apio on October 11, 2003 but he was arrested, but later on returned on October 14th and killed her along with Atuku.
“On October 14th, 2003 Ocii ordered us out; me, Apio and Atuku. He shot Apio who ran and fell at a neighbor’s place. He returned to me and I ran. He fired a bullet at the back of my head,” Adong narrated. The Commission believed her statement as a witness to the murder.
“We notice that what she told the tribunal on October 8th, 2019 was exactly what she had recorded in her statement on March 22nd, 2005. We therefore find that on the balance of probabilities that the respondent’s agent violated Adong’s right to protection from Cruel and inhuman treatment.
Throughout the material time Pte. Ocii was acting in the course of his employment as a servant of the state,” the Uganda Human Rights Commission – UHRC Tribunal ruled and awarded 70 million shillings to Opio for violation of his sister’s right to life and 20 Million Shillings to Adong.
The same Tribunal awarded 25 Million Shillings , Moses Mogi who was beaten repeatedly by prison officials at three different prisons; that is, Pece Local Government Prison, Central government Prison Gulu and Loro Prison Farm.
“Mogi Moses suffered extreme physical pain and mental agony at the hands of the O/C Loro Prison Farm, the Prison Warders and Katikiros (fellow inmates) who severely beat him on the head, back, legs and feet. Worse, he suffered chronic chest pain and had suffered swollen hands and wounds on his fingers, owing to the hazardous work he had been subjected to at Pece Prison.
Even with swollen hands and wounds, they forced him to pick rubbish, sweep at Boma and uproot beans.
He was also denied medical treatment. Prison officials even blocked him from accessing the medicine his family had taken to him. The conditions to which Mogi was subjected while in Pece and Loro prisons were akin to slavery and servitude,” reads in part the decision read by Hon. Nsubuga on behalf of the panel.
The Director Complaints, Investigation and Legal Services Ms. Pauline Nansamba Mutumba told journalists after the hearing that the awarded money shall carry an interest of 10% pa until payment in full and that the Commission will follow up with the UPDF and Uganda Prisons to ensure the victims get their due compensation.
In all, the Tribunal is still handling a total of 20 complaints that arose within the Acholi Sub-region.
