Human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo has clarified his involvement in the case of Stephen Nuwagaba, disputing several details presented by journalist Andrew Mwenda during an appearance on the Bad Natives Podcast hosted by Charles Onyango-Obbo.
Opiyo, who heads human rights organisation Chapter Four Uganda, said Mwenda “mixed up a lot of facts” regarding his engagement with Nuwagaba and the steps taken by his organisation after the latter approached them alleging torture by security personnel.
According to Opiyo, Nuwagaba was a client who sought assistance from Chapter Four Uganda after claiming he had been tortured. He said the organisation observed visible marks on Nuwagaba's feet, elbow and soles, while he also walked with a limp.
Opiyo explained that Chapter Four initially hesitated to pursue a civil case because there was limited documentation supporting Nuwagaba's allegations. Instead, the organisation sought a criminal investigation against the individuals he accused of torturing him.
“We approached CID HQ in Kibuli to report a case of torture,” Opiyo said, adding that the Criminal Investigations Directorate advised them to report the matter to the institution concerned.
He said Chapter Four subsequently reported the allegations to the Deputy Commandant of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) on its own initiative, rather than at Mwenda's request.
Opiyo said the Deputy CMI boss, Rugumayo, and an officer identified as Frank Nyakairu investigated the allegations and found them credible. He claimed they arrested the CMI officer accused of committing the torture but delayed resolving the issue surrounding Nuwagaba's property.
It was during this period, Opiyo said, that Nuwagaba asked to be introduced to Salim Saleh. Opiyo said he emailed Saleh outlining the torture allegations and asking him to assist with investigations because the matter involved security officials.
“I never met Saleh but exchanged emails a few times about the case,” he said.
Opiyo further said attempts to meet the CMI boss repeatedly failed, prompting colleagues to advise him to approach Mwenda, whom he described as a close friend, kinsman and confidant of Birungi, whom he referred to as a CMI figure at the time.
He said he eventually spoke to Birungi through Mwenda's phone but never met him personally.
Opiyo said he later learnt that Nuwagaba met Birungi, who allegedly compensated him, returned his phones and laptops and facilitated the issuance of a passport.
“That is where our engagement with the case ended,” Opiyo said, stressing that his organisation's involvement was centred on responding to Nuwagaba's allegations of torture and seeking accountability through the appropriate institutions.