Police grill Madi Chief over torture and rape accusations

ADJUMANI, UGANDA: The Police in Adjumani yesterday (April 16, 2023), grilled the Madi Paramount chief Drani Stephen Izakare for over six hours after he was implicated in the torture of two women and 11 others following a UPDF operation in Ngoro West settlement area Zoka.

The police public relations officer North West Nile Ignatius Dragudu said Chief Drani indeed responded to police summons following a complaint of torture that was registered against him at Adjumani central police station on April 12, 2023.

Dragudu said the police have already preferred four charges against the accused Chief including; attempted murder, rape and assault and once that file is complete, it will be forwarded to the DPP for further action.

He however revealed that the suspect was later released on police bond after he produced substantial sureties and has been instructed to report to police on April 19, 2023.

Chief Drani Stephen Izakare the paramount chief of Madi is the spokesperson for the Forum of African Traditional Authorities.

Two women who are ailing in Adjumani hospital with broken limbs have accused Major Trevor the UPDF commander in Zoka garrison of torturing them during an operation to avert escalation of violence accusing a section of the Madi community of allegedly burning down the houses of their neighbouring Acholi community.

Chief Drani according to the victims was present in the torture camp on April 11, 2023, as the UPDF dehumanized them and did nothing to rescue the situation.

The community in the Ngoro Settlement area led by their leader Mr Angu James have accused Chief Drani Stephen Izakare and Major Trevor of connivance to illegally evict them out of the land using the excuse of the conflict with the Acholi community which is not true.

President Yoweri Museveni last year 2022 facilitated the heads of cultural institutions of Madi and Acholi to the tune of shs 100m for peace dialogue in the volatile Apaa area.