Kampala  - The African Union's Commissioner for Human Rights on Thursday urged the continent to draft laws making torture a criminal offence.

Catherine Dupe Atoki told reporters during her two-day visit to Uganda that only five African countries have criminalized torture, which she said was rampant on the continent.

"The majority of countries on the continent have not made torture a criminal offense," she said. "Torture is a problem on the continent and should not be used as a deterrent."

She singled out Gambia for special criticism, saying it had a poor human rights record and calling on the government to immediately criminalize torture.

Dupe visited Uganda's main prisons and held talks with government officials and human rights activists during her visit. (dpa)