Amnesty International condemned the execution of three...

Amnesty International condemned the execution of three members of the Ugandan People's Defence Force (UPDF) who were convicted by a military court of murdering civilians. "These men seem to have been made scapegoats to give the impression that the army deals swiftly with those who have committed crimes," said Amnesty. The organisation added that the manner in which they were tried, and the speed with which the executions were carried out without any possibility of an appeal, constituted a denial of their right to a fair and independent trial. Two of the accused, Kambacho Ssenyonjo and Alfred Okech, who were found guilty of the killing of three men on January 2003 had reportedly been denied access to legal representation, the organisation said. The executions were reportedly carried out only one hour after the sentences were passed. The other UPDF soldier, Richard Wigiri, was convicted of murdering a woman in December 2002. "The failure of the Ugandan government to prevent unfair trials and executions within the army can only demonstrate, both to the international community and to Ugandans themselves, that the government is unwilling to respect human rights standards," the organisation added.