LOP Fails to Secure MP Ssewanyana’s Release from Nagalama Police

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Betty Aol Ochan has Wednesday morning failed to secure release of the detained Makindye West MP, Allan Ssewanyana from Nagalama Police Station.

Ssewanyana was arrested on Monday morning after leading a demonstration at Kiruddu hospital protesting the poor sanitation and stinking sewerage which has exposed patients and people in the neighborhood to enormous danger.

The MP was arrested while mobilizing the residents to close the hospital until the Ministry of Health and other authorities fix the problem.

Police had said the action by the legislator was endangering the lives of patients who needed to access the hospital to get much needed services.

During a live tweet chat at Parliament on Wednesday, the Leader of Opposition revealed that she moved to Nagalama Police station together with her team in a bid to secure Ssewanyana’s release either on Police bond or else demand that he be produced in court so that he can secure a court bail. However, Ochan said all efforts have failed.

“Early this morning, I went to Nagalama to check on Hon. Ssewanyana who was arrested for standing with the people of Makindye due to the poor sewage system,” Ochan said.

“It is unfortunate that in the budget of the current financial year ending within months, over Shs 3bn was allocated to work on the sewerage system but nothing has been done,” the LOP said.

She said that having received information that Ssewanyana would be produced before court in Makindye at around 9am, she drove to Nagalama but waited up to 10am and there were no signs of having him produced before Court.

It is not yet clear when Ssewanyana would be produced before court to answer to the several charges that were prefered against him.

On Monday, Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, SP Patrick Onyango told this news website that thelegislator was arrested when he tried to block patients from accessing the health facility for medication.

“Mr Ssewanyana attempted to close Kiruddu hospital yet the facility is used by hundreds of people. Closing it would deter them from their right to medical treatment,” Onyango said.

Asked when the MP will be presented to court, Onyango said Police is still carrying out investigations and will inform the public soon.

He said Ssewanyana is charged with inciting violence and unlawful assembly.