Ibrahim Walibonaki, a 68-year-old farmer and long-serving National Resistance Movement (NRM) mobilizer from Kabwangasi Town Council in Butebo District, has expressed deep disappointment following the dismissal of his 18-year-old torture compensation claim by the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC).
Walibonaki was among 25 NRM mobilizers who petitioned the UHRC, alleging torture by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers during the Pallisa District LCV by-election held on May 10, 2007.
The by-election was triggered by a court ruling that nullified the election of then-chairperson Fred Wasugirya due to electoral malpractice.
The race became highly contested between independent candidate Bantalib Taligola and NRM’s Patrick Lodoi Mutono.
Taligola emerged victorious, but Mutono’s supporters, including Walibonaki, alleged they were targeted and tortured by security personnel.
Over the years, the political landscape has shifted—Pallisa District has since been subdivided into Kibuku, Budaka, Butebo, and the remaining Pallisa.
Mutono currently serves as MP for Butebo County, while Taligola lost his bid for the Gogonyo County parliamentary seat to Derrick Orone.
In their petition, Walibonaki and others claimed they were arrested at various polling stations by soldiers allegedly under the command of Saleh Kamba, now the Resident District Commissioner for Nakasongola.
They reported being detained at Kabwangasi Police Post, where they were severely beaten before receiving treatment at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and lodging a complaint with the UHRC.
During a recent tribunal session in Jinja City, UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya announced that the number of complainants had been reduced from 30 to 25.
She stated that four representatives, led by the now-deceased Lawrence Opuwa, were appointed to coordinate the case.
In her ruling, Wangadya said the complainants failed to provide sufficient evidence that Kamba, then a retired junior officer, had the authority to command troops to commit the alleged torture.
She added that the matter appeared to be rooted in political rivalry between Kamba and current Minister for Bunyoro Affairs Jennifer Namuyangu, both of whom were competing for the Kibuku County MP seat at the time.
Wangadya described the petitioners as “political mercenaries” used to escalate the conflict and damage Kamba’s reputation.
The commission dismissed the petition and advised the complainants to seek redress through the formal court system.
Walibonaki expressed dismay at the ruling, noting that only the late Opuwa had filed a petition directly implicating Kamba, yet the entire case was evaluated under the same file.
He argued that the state has a responsibility to protect its citizens and that the UHRC should have upheld justice for the alleged victims.
Still bearing physical scars he attributes to the 2007 incident, Walibonaki voiced doubt about pursuing an appeal.
He cited the advanced age of most complainants and the inefficiency of the justice system, noting it had taken nearly two decades just to reach the UHRC ruling.
He fears a court case could drag on even longer—perhaps beyond the lifetimes of those involved.
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