Ssegirinya Rearrested Moments after Being Released from Prison

The Joint Security forces have rearrested Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya hours after court granted him bail.

Just like his Makindye West counterpart Allan Ssewanyana, the legislator was picked outside Kigo prison by security forces, he was whisked away to unknown destination

Shamim Malende, The Kampala Woman MP and one of Ssegirinya’s lawyers, said  Ssegirinya was pulled out of her car as they left Kigo Prison in Wakiso District.

“Hon Segirinya was pulled out of my car as we exited Kigo prison and taken to unknown destination by security operatives clad in black attire,” Malende said in a Facebook post.

Earlier in the day, The International Crimes Division Court had set free the legislator on bail.

He had been granted bail after substituting Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake with Ntenjeru North’s legislator, Hon Nsanja Patrick as surety.

Both MPs were jointly arrested on September 8, 2021, and taken to Masaka Magistrate’s Court on charges of murder, attempted murder arising from the recent spate of killings of people using machetes in Greater Masaka sub-region which left over 25 people dead . They were remanded to Kigo Government Prison.

Prosecution alleges that MPs Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana physically participated and connived with other people to execute murders in the Greater Masaka region.

Addressing journalists on Monday at Naguru, Police spokesperson Fred Enanga confirmed that the joint security team on Thursday, arrested Allan Ssewanyana on fresh charges that rotate around treason and incitement of violence

Enanga said the re-arrest was within the provisions of the law.

He said Ssewanyana, is currently detained at the Special Investigations Division in Kireka and will any time either be released on police bond or arraigned before courts of law to answer the charges.

“The task time found it important to turn over those allegations against the MP and other suspects so hat they get his statement on these fresh charges. By close of business today, we will have known whether to charge him in courts of law or release him on bond since the 48 hours will elapse at 6pm.”

The developments comes at a backdrop of President Yoweri Museveni’s renewed fight against giving bail to suspects accused of capital offences.

Speaking on Wednesday at the swearing in of new judges, Museveni said bail is not a constitutional right.

“It is abominable. I would like us to cure this ideological disagreement. This bail, what is the hurry? Who are you trying to please? Who said bail is a right?…. I am going to summon the NRM caucus and if necessary, we put it to a referendum. With this provocation, people will take the law into their hands,” Museveni said.