By Joseph Tumushabe

8^th Oct 2012: Two weeks ago, I heard that a one Michael Kabazigurika, and a couple of other souls were nursing broken ribs and other torture marks from shadow state operatives who were hell bent on extracting a treason confession from the opposition activists.

Accusations of rebellion and treason are an old weapon that has been used constantly by Museveni’s torture machinery. It shaped domestic policy in the first decade of this century in Uganda.

The Black Mamba siege of the High Court (rapping of the judiciary), the entire ‘Safe House’ machinery during the late Brig. Mayombo’s heydays, Dr Besigye’s arrest and treason frame-up, the incarceration and death of Saasi – a dear friend and brother of Dr. Besigye, the arrest of hundreds in Buganda, Acholi, Western Uganda are all evidence of how Museveni has used the law of treason to suppress dissent.

Even the current persecution of Ingrid Turinawe, Sam Mugumya and Mwijukye Francis have one common string – one that can be summed-up as a spiritual obsession with the mystery of rebellion against the most cowardly government Uganda has ever had.

This low profile reign of terror marked the proverbial line in the sand for some of us and Museveni’s regime. It is one area why we will never work with dreamers who think we can somehow ever reconcile with those who torture us.

There are certain things a leadership cannot be allowed to get away with. Torture of political opposition is one of them. The marks of torture imprinted in our skins may disappear to the naked eye, but they are branded in our souls.

And to those who are hired or pushed to commit these heinous crimes against our human bodies, I will refer you to the worlds of a famous philosopher:  “those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” – Voltaire.

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