A report from the medical examination of novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has confirmed that the 33-year-old writer was tortured.
On January 11, court charged Rukirabashaija with disturbing President Museveni and son’s peace. (Read story here).
He has been in detention since December 28 when he was arrested from Kisaasi, Kampala after he reportedly attacked President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni and his son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba on Twitter (Read story here).
His Twitter account has since been deleted.
Meanwhile, Rukirabashaija’s lawyers had been complaining about his torture.
On January 11, Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Dr Douglas Singiza ordered for the medical examination of the writer.
Now, Dr James Kisambu, the assistant commissioner in charge of health at Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has written to Rukirabashaija’s lawyer Eron Kiiza of Kiiza and Mugisha Advocates presenting to him the report on his client’s health.
According to report, the suspect has “healing scars on the back, the buttocks, thighs and hands for which he is on medication.”
Here is the full report:
MEDICAL REPORT FOR No. KTA/Min.R/227/22 KAKWENZA RUKIRABASHAILJA AT KITALYA MINI MAX PRISON
This medical re-examination was requested for on January 13th, 2022 and carried out on January 14th, 2022 at Kitalya Mini Max Prison.
Found 33 years old male prisoner remanded at Kitalya Mini Max prison on January 11th, 2022 with complaints of healing scars of wounds sustained before being remanded to prison.
On examination found him in fair general condition with weight of 87.3kg, Height 1.95m and a BMI of 22.9 kgm2. The BP was 106/64 mmHg with a pulse rate of 78 beats/min which was full volume and regular.
He also had healing scars on the back, the buttocks, thighs and hands for which he is on medication.
Systemic examination was normal while laboratory examinations did not yield any positive findings.
Conclusion
A 33-year-old male on medication for healing scars and in good health condition
