news 4 May 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
High Court Awards Shs 172m to CMI Torture Victim Leo Ntege
Uganda's High Court has ordered the government and a CMI-linked operative to pay Shs 172 million in damages to Leo Ntege for torture and rights abuses during his 2021 detention. Justice Isaac Bonny Teko ruled the acts violated constitutional protections against unlawful detention and degrading treatment. Source: https://observer.ug/news/cmi-torture-victim-awarded-shs-172m
The High Court in Uganda has granted Shs 172 million in compensation to Leo Ntege, a victim of torture by Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) operatives, now rebranded as Defence Intelligence and Security.
Justice Isaac Bonny Teko determined that Ntege successfully demonstrated violations of his constitutional rights, including illegal detention exceeding 48 hours and severe torture that undermined human dignity. The judge stressed the need for courts to decisively address such state-sponsored abuses to protect the Constitution.
On July 27, 2021, armed CMI personnel, led by Pastor Sadrack Kaganda, raided Ntege’s home in Mutundwe at 3:00 a.m., accusing him of illegal firearm possession. Despite finding no weapon, they seized his laptop, phone, passports, and other items before blindfolding and detaining him.
Ntege described being held at Mbuya Military Barracks safe house, where he endured daily beatings with wire canes, genital torture, and denial of diabetes medication, leading to kidney issues and Shs 22 million in medical costs.
After 25 days, he was moved to Kireka Police Special Investigations Unit. The government denied the Mbuya detention but admitted a joint operation, while claiming Kaganda, a civilian, lacked authority over soldiers.
Justice Teko rejected these defenses, citing Ntege’s consistent testimony backed by medical and psychological evidence from the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims. Kaganda’s failure to contest the claims made him jointly liable.
The award includes Shs 22 million for medical expenses and Shs 150 million in general damages, plus suit costs, to be paid by the government and Kaganda.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)