The Legal fraternity is seeking an amendment to the laws to have soldiers tried in civilian courts.
Members of the Uganda Law Society told the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee now discussing the Prohibition and Prevention of Torture Bill that the men in uniform are leading perpetrators of torture according to several reports published by the human rights organizations.
Courts constituted by soldiers are doubted in trying own peers according to the law society.
The perpetrators of torture often times find solace in the defense that they were executing orders from above and in many cases these are not held accountable even when the orders are unlawful.
Besides, the perpetrators give wrong information to justify their actions.
The law society is seeking penalties to check this too. They also want law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judicial officers and Medical practitioners to recognize the right to privacy of the victims of torture during court proceedings.
The lawyers are also seeking a clear definition of torture in the law and have the payment for compensation revised upwards from three million.
The Prohibition and Prevention of Torture Bill 2010 is long awaited and MPs are moving faster to have the law enacted.
Human Rights Activists have approved of the law that seeks to address the rampant cases of torture by security organs.
