Report: Uganda tortures terror suspects

KAMPALA, Uganda, April 8 (UPI) -- Human Rights Watch called on the Ugandan government Wednesday to end torture and illegal arrests by its anti-terrorism unit.

An 89-page report prepared by the group, "Open Secret: Illegal Detention and Torture by the Joint Anti-terrorism Task Force in Uganda," charges that in two years the unit has detained more than 100 people illegally and used torture on at least 25. Four people are known to have died, and five have disappeared, Human Rights Watch said.

During its investigation, the group said, it found that JATT agents wear civilian clothes with no badges or identification. They seize suspects, load them into cars and give them no reason for their detention.

Most of those detained are Muslims, a minority in Uganda, the report said.

"Surrounded by ambassadors' residences and lush mansions in Kololo, JATT detains and beats suspects and holds them for months without any contact with family or lawyers," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "Uganda conveniently uses the broad mantle of anti-terrorism to abuse and torture suspects."