Opposition Members of Parliament, Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North) and Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West) have been remanded by Masaka court to Kigo Prison on new charges of murder.
The two legislators were arraigned before Masaka Chief Magistrate Charles Yeteise and charged with the murder of Joseph Bwanika.
Prosecution states that Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana caused the death of Bwanika, a resident of Kisekka B village, Kankamba parish in Lwengo District on August 2, 2021.
“Ssewanyana, Ssegirinya and others still at large on August 2, 2021 at of Kisekka B village, Kankamba parish in Lwengo District with malice afore thought killed Bwanika Joseph,” prosecution stated.
Given the nature of their offences, they were not allowed to take plea or apply for bail because Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court does not have the jurisdictions.
The state also amended the old charge sheet to include one more suspect Jackson Kanyike, the state alleges that the two MPs were allegedly financing Kanyike to commit acts of terrorism.
The MPs are expected to return to court on October 13, 2021 for mention of the cases.
Kampala Woman MP, Shamim Malende told reporters that as defense lawyers, they intend to apply for bail in the High Court, on grounds that the legislators need to go for specialized medical treatment.
Malende said the legislators suffered physical torture and brutality meted against them by the security operatives who re-arrested them.
“They were tortured and as you may have witnessed they came limping yet they have health complications which was our major reason as to why we asked for bail which the court had granted to them before they were re-arrested,” She said.
Ssewanyana was rearrested by the joint security forces on September 23, 2021 as he walked out of Kigo Prison after he was granted bail on charges of murder, attempted murder and aiding and abetting terrorism.
Ssegirinya was also rearrested on September 27 as he left Kigo Prison after he was granted bail.
The legislators are accused of having a hand in the recent spate of killings in Greater Masaka sub region that left close to 30 people dead. They were initially charged with six counts, including murder, attempted murder and aiding and abetting terrorism.
The new case now brings the total number of charges against the MPs and their co accused to seven.
During plenary on Wednesday, the speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah condemned the manner in which the two legislators were arrested.
“Respect should be given to all citizens of this country. I watched the clip but the way it was done, was not good” Oulanyah said.
In the same sitting, General David Muhoozi, the Internal Affairs State Minister, assured Parliament that due process will be followed.
“I assure the House and country that due process will be followed. The Hon. MPs, Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana, will be produced in courts of law,” he said.
Muhoozi apologized for the delayed transmission of arrest summons.
