"In a shocking display of heavy-handedness, many people appear to have been summarily shot dead and their bodies dumped," reads the statement. He says although complete details of the clashes are yet to emerge, there are appears to be shocking examples of human rights violations.
"The full picture of the weekend's events is yet to emerge, but there appears to be shocking examples of unlawful killings and a complete disregard for human rights during the arrests," said Halakhe. He says video footage broadcast by Ugandan TV stations shows the bodies of young men apparently dumped on river banks and in bushes, and men writhing in pain as they are tossed off pickup trucks with their hands tied behind their backs.
"Whatever the origin and source of the violence, the Ugandan security forces must not be allowed to jettison their human rights obligations. The government must ensure that police and soldiers observe restraint and desist from extrajudicial executions," said Halakhe.
Adding that, "The use of force during the events must be fully and transparently investigated, and those suspected of unlawful killings and other crimes such as torture must be brought to justice in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty."
He says it is "It is imperative that the authorities ensure that detainees are not subjected to torture or other ill-treatment, and are given prompt legal representation and access to their families."