The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Tribunal has awarded Shs 60 million in compensation to a 41-year-old widow whose husband, Patrick Olum, died while in custody at Amolatar Government Prison.
The compensation, granted as general damages for the violation of Olum’s right to life, will accrue a 10 per cent annual interest from the date of the ruling until full payment is made.
In its ruling, the UHRC Tribunal chaired by Mariam Wangadya and composed of Col (Rtd) Stephen Basaliza, Lamex Omara Apita, and Crispin Kaheru found that the state failed to provide a plausible explanation for Olum’s death.
“We are convinced that Olum was in good health when he entered Amolatar Government Prison. It is our considered view that Ogwang Jackson, the warder supervising the prisoners, tied Olum’s hands and legs, bound him to a tree, and kicked him to death,” the tribunal ruled.
The ruling described Olum’s last moments as horrific, stating that he was bullied, humiliated, and subjected to extreme cruelty.
“He had worked for at least four hours uninterrupted and sought permission to fix his hoe before resuming digging. Instead, he was tightly bound with a rope, tied to a tree, and rendered completely defenseless. He was then brutally and mercilessly kicked by a warder until he breathed his last. The physical and emotional pain he endured was unspeakable,” the tribunal stated.
The tribunal emphasized that Olum’s death permanently separated his widow, Akello, from her husband and deprived their children; Colleen Ecir, Brian Aya, Steven Akwanga, Cyrus Olum, and Brenda Akello of a father. It also ruled that Olum’s alleged offense using an illegal fishing net did not justify his detention or the brutality that led to his death.
“He was a man in pursuit of lawful earnings to support his family, turning to the natural resource nearest to him (Lake Kwania), and he died for this.”
The tribunal ordered the government to compensate Akello, with the funds to be shared among Olum’s dependents. It specifically directed that Brenda Akello, a stepdaughter, receive at least 20 per cent of the compensation. However, the ruling noted that Olum’s economic or social status, as well as his earnings, were not considered in determining the damages awarded.
Upon receiving the ruling, Akello told reporters that she pursued the case because her husband had left behind a young family in need of support.
According to official documents, Olum, then 35 years old, was arrested on August 4, 2008, by marine police patrol officers for allegedly violating fishing regulations. He was first detained at Amolatar Police Station before being remanded to Amolatar Government Prison the following day.
On August 6, Akello visited him in prison and found him in good health. However, on August 7, her neighbour, Lawrence Okello, informed her that Olum had died. She held the prison authorities responsible for his death, arguing that their actions amounted to a gross violation of his right to life.