Inmates at Ruyigi Central Prison, located in Buhumuza Province, have raised concerns over alleged abuses committed by a fellow inmate entrusted with supervising prisoners, commonly referred to as the prison’s “General,” identified as Sebushahu Augustin.
A Prisoner with a Controversial Criminal Past Placed in Charge of Other Inmates
Before presenting the grievances raised by the inmates, it is important to briefly review the background of Sebushahu Augustin and the criminal acts attributed to him.
Originally from Muhweza Hill in Cankuzo Commune, formerly Cankuzo Province, Sebushahu Augustin was first incarcerated at Ruyigi Central Prison in 2013. According to gathered information, he had been prosecuted for the murder of his wife, whom he allegedly killed with a machete in their home. He remained imprisoned for seven years before being released in 2020.
A New Homicide Case Following His Release
Only one year after his release, in 2021, Sebushahu Augustin was allegedly involved in another murder case in Cankuzo Province. According to available information, the victim was a person living with albinism. Following this case, he was arrested again and transferred back to Ruyigi Central Prison, where he remains detained to this day pending the outcome of judicial proceedings or in execution of decisions rendered in the matter.
Upon his return to the prison, he was appointed as the representative or leader of the inmates, a position commonly known as the prison “General.”
Allegations of Violence, Extortion, and Abuse of Authority
According to several inmates at Ruyigi Central Prison, the situation has become increasingly alarming in recent months. They accuse Sebushahu Augustin of committing serious abuses against them, including physical violence, intimidation, and acts of extortion.
The inmates cite the cases of several prisoners who were allegedly severely beaten by him, resulting in serious injuries that reportedly left them unable to sit properly.
They state that they have already lodged complaints with the prison director, Emerusabe Eric, but claim that no concrete action has been taken. According to them, this lack of response has strengthened the sense of impunity enjoyed by Sebushahu Augustin. They further allege that he regularly tells other inmates that they have nowhere to turn because he enjoys the support of the prison administration.
The complainants also accuse him of unlawfully taking inmates’ personal belongings. According to their testimonies, he conducts searches targeting, among other things, mobile phones possessed by certain prisoners and then permanently confiscates them. He allegedly tells the owners that the devices have been handed over to the prison administration. However, when inmates inquire with the relevant authorities, they claim that no trace of their phones can be found. They therefore view these actions as acts comparable to misappropriation or abusive confiscation.
“Whenever he mistreats inmates, he always claims they have committed some wrongdoing. However, in our view, his real objective is to obtain money. Prisoners have no way of making their voices heard because the prison administration is aware of the situation but does nothing to put an end to these abuses,” one of our sources stated.
Appeal to the Relevant Authorities
In light of this situation, inmates at Ruyigi Central Prison are urgently calling on the competent prison authorities and human rights institutions to intervene and put an end to the mistreatment, violence, and abuses they claim to be suffering.
They also request the opening of independent investigations into the allegations made against Sebushahu Augustin, as well as into the possible responsibility of prison officials who, according to the inmates, were informed of these facts but failed to take appropriate action.