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Remanded MPs list grounds for bail
Charged. Kawempe North MP Muhammed Ssegirinya and his Makindye West counterpart Allan Ssewanyana appearing before Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court last week. Photo | Malik Fahad Jjingo
What you need to know:
- Issue. So far, 16 people — including the two legislators — have been arraigned on murder and attempted murder charges.
Two Opposition legislators remanded in custody over killing three people in the Greater Masaka region have applied to the High Court in Masaka, seeking to be released on bail pending the hearing of their case.
Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West), and Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North), have listed six grounds for their release.
The bail application filed yesterday by Lukwago & Co. Advocates and Malende & Co. Advocates stated that the two “suffer from grave illnesses incapable of adequate medical treatment attention while [they] are in custody.”
The application also lists other grounds such as the offences in question being bailable by the High Court, the applicants having fixed places of abode, and their readiness to abide by any bail conditions that court will impose on them.
The application also notes that despite the two legislators having substantial sureties, they have not been committed to the High Court for trial with no hearing date being set.
The outspoken MPs, who belong to the National Unity Platform party, were arraigned before Masaka Chief Magistrates Court last Tuesday and charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
The legislators were charged along with two other suspects, including businessmen John Mugerwa, and Bulo Wamala.
Prosecution alleges that on August 23 at Ssettaala Village in Masaka City, the MPs killed Mugerwa Kiiza Francis (alias Nswa) and Sulaiman Kakooza.
It is further alleged that on the same day, the MPs and their co-accused persons, at Ssenya Village in Masaka City killed Tadeo Kiyimba.
On the lone count of attempted murder, the State contends that the legislators and their co-accused on the same day at Ssettaala Village, attempted to unlawfully cause the death of Ronald Ssebyoto.
Justice Katamba Victoria, the resident judge set September 20 to hear out their bail application that will determine their fate.
So far, 16 people — including the two legislators — have been arraigned on murder and attempted murder charges.
This follows the recent spate of killings in the Greater Masaka Sub-region that has claimed at least 28 lives many of whom were senior citizens.
The lawmakers return to court tomorrow for an update from prosecution on how far investigations into the matter have gone. Thereafter the suspects will be returned to their respective remand places.
Alternatively, as a Covid-19 prevention measure, the proceedings might be carried out remotely with the accused persons remaining in the confines of Kitalya prison.
