Govt to probe ‘inhuman acts’ allegation by Uamsho leaders

“Since I don’t have adequate information on the alleged inhuman acts, I now direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate the matter and present their findings to me” PRIME MINISTER MIZENGO PINDA 

By  Samuel Kamndaya, The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

• Lawmaker says the government should either investigate the claims coming out of a Dar es Salaam remand prison or let Parliament form a probe committee
• The 23 men, who are facing terrorism charges, have threatened to go on a hunger strike

Dodoma. Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda yesterday directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to look into the allegation that 23 leaders of the Association for Islamic Mobilisation and Propagation (Uamsho) face “inhuman acts” in a Dar es Salaam remand prison.

Responding to a question by Mr Muhammad Ibrahim Sanya (Mji Mkongwe-CUF), Mr Pinda said the government – through the Home Affairs ministry – would make a follow-up on the claim.

In his question, Mr Sanya asked the Prime Minister to either act on the allegation or allow Parliament to form a probe committee.

“We have information that these people (Uamsho leaders) are being subjected to inhuman acts that I cannot mention openly before this Parliament….why don’t you allow Parliament to form a probe committee to investigate these claims?” Mr Sanya asked.

But Mr Pinda said in response: “Since I don’t have adequate information on the alleged inhuman acts, I now direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate the matter and present their findings to me.”

He said much as he did not have any problem with the proposal to form a probe committee, he would like to first get enough information on the matter, including who are the victims and what kind of inhuman acts they are being subjected to.

The Uamsho leaders, currently in remand prison and facing terrorism related charges, threatened to go on a hunger strike last week unless their demands were met.

They gave Resident Magistrate Renatus Rutta of the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court a seven-day ultimatum to hear their case. They issued the ultimatum after the prosecution said investigation into the matter was incomplete.

The prosecution further requested for more time while awaiting the Court of Appeal’s ruling on whether the Kisutu court has jurisdiction  over the case.