Elders in Kotido district are calling on the government to compensate juveniles who were allegedly tortured and starved at a remand home in Gulu district.
The 21 juveniles, who were part of a group of suspected cattle raiders, were detained at Gulu remand home and faced charges of murder, rape, and theft.
It is alleged that they were tortured and starved, resulting in the death of one suspect and malnourishment of others. The juveniles were released last week along with 244 other suspects who were detained at Patiko government prisons in Gulu district.
John Bosco Akore, the Secretary of Kotido Elder’s Council, has called for compensation for the victims, stating that they were not proven guilty but were mistreated. He has also called for the arrest of the officers in charge of Gulu remand home to aid investigations into the death of one suspect and the mistreatment of the juveniles.
Edward Ovin, one of the victims, recounted their experience of torture and starvation. Brian Etuko, the senior probation and welfare officer for Kotido district, has revealed that the victims are being screened for health issues, with some confirmed to have TB and malaria while others are weak due to lack of food.
The government has been urged to investigate the circumstances under which the juveniles were starved and to compensate each victim with eight cows, as per their traditional charges.
In September 2022, security forces rounded up around 300 suspected cattle raiders who were accused of terrorizing people in the districts of Lango and Acholi regions.
