National Unity Platform paying medical bills of 44 tortured supporters

The National Unity Platform-NUP is paying medical bills for 44 supporters who were tortured during the just concluded general elections.

The majority of these were reportedly kidnapped and tortured by security while others returned from prisons in very bad shape.

Joel Ssenyonyi, the NUP party spokesperson told Uganda Radio Network that the 44 torture victims are those who approached the headquarters seeking medical assistance.

He however says that there are many others who are being helped by party officials and supporters in various parts of the country.

Ssenyonyi says that they are fundraising in and outside the country to foot the medical bills of the injured supporters.

He however couldn’t state the exact amount or estimate what they have spent on treating their injured supporters. “I can’t say for certain the exact amounts but Ugandans keep sending money so that we can help our injured comrades who need immediate medical attention, in prison and those that need help at home,” he said.

There have been several fundraising campaigns online by supporters of Kyagulanyi. For instance, Ivan Sempa based in England organized a fundraising drive in January on gofundme page.

“I am raising this money because I want to support Honorable Kyagulanyi Ssentamu’s campaigns and to raise money for the treatment of Ugandans who are injured by the Uganda police and other security organs. Also, bail out political prisoners from Ugandan prisons who are being arrested just because they are supporting (NUP),” his page reads.

Sempa was targeting to collect 10,000 British pounds, about Shillings 50 million. But only managed to raise 1200 British pounds, about Shillings 6M. Bony Obicho, whose intestines were damaged while in prison is among those receiving treatment at Uganda Martyr’s, Rubaga Hospital.

Obicho says that when he gets to the hospital, he calls Shiphrah Rukundo, who is in charge of paying the medical bills of tortured supporters at NUP. She connects him with a doctor at Rubaga Hospital.

Obicho’s medical documents which URN has seen indicate that his intestines and bladder were damaged through torture. He showed URN three receipts of Shillings 162,000 paid by NUP for his treatment.

Kareem Muganga, 24, a taxi conductor whose left eye and ear were damaged says that he is also receiving treatment with support from NUP. URN was unable to access his medical bills.