Mpuuga said that the current law does not provide for inquests, which are public inquiries into the circumstances surrounding a death. He said that this has led to a situation where many deaths go unsolved and families are left without answers.
“The Inquests Act will help to ensure that all deaths are investigated thoroughly and that families are given the closure they deserve,” Mpuuga said.
He said that the Act would also help to hold those responsible for deaths accountable.
“The Inquests Act will help to ensure that justice is served for all Ugandans,” Mpuuga said.
Mpuuga’s call for the enactment of the Inquests Act comes at a time when there have been a number of high-profile murders in Uganda, including the killing of former AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi, former State Prosecutor Joan Kagezi, and Muslim cleric Muhammad Kirya.
In the absence of an Inquests Act, these cases have been investigated by the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). However, there have been concerns that these investigations have not been thorough and that the families of the victims have not been given the answers they deserve.
The Inquests Act would provide a legal framework for the investigation of deaths and would ensure that all deaths are investigated thoroughly. It would also help to hold those responsible for deaths accountable.
Mpuuga’s call for the enactment of the Inquests Act has been welcomed by human rights activists and lawyers. They say that the Act would be a valuable tool for ensuring justice for all Ugandans.
“The Inquests Act is an important piece of legislation that would help to ensure that all deaths are investigated thoroughly and that families are given the closure they deserve,” said Nicholas Opiyo, a human rights lawyer.
“The Act would also help to hold those responsible for deaths accountable,” Opiyo said.
The Inquests Act is currently being drafted by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. It is expected to be tabled in Parliament in the next few months