Opposition MPs Granted Bail After A Year Behind Bars
MPs Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana
Masaka High Court has finally granted bail to Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana and Kawempe North’s Muhammed Ssegirinya after being detained for close to two years.
The opposition MPs were released after Judge Larence Tweyanze yesterday afternoon revealed that they were not only released to get treatment outside prison, but also as their constitutional right.
Before the judgment, the prosecution led by Richard Birivunbuka and Joseph Kyomuhendo told the court that the evidence that was stopping the legislators from getting bail had been withdrawn.
Appearing in court through a video link at Kigo Prison where they had been remanded, the judge ordered that both MPs are to pay 20 million Ugandan shillings as well as handing over their passports to court. Their sureties have been told to pay a non cash bond of Shs.50 million each.
In addition, both legislators are to report to the registrar of the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala once a month but also warned against interfering with investigations into their cases.
Their lawyer, Erias Lukwago, was not pleased with the amount of money set as bail for their clients but hailed the court for their release.
“The journey has been long from 2021 and we hope they will not try to sabotage their ruling as it was the first time yet we had paid Shs20 million bail.” Lukwago told journalists.
Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya were arrested in September 2021 with five others including Jackson Kanyike, Bull Wamala, John Mugerwa, Jude Muwonge and Mike Sserwadda.
These are accused of murder, attempted murder, aiding and abetting terrorism following the 2021 killing in Masaka and Lwengo where 20 people were murdered by unknown assailants using machetes.
“I’m happy they are finally free but also sad that anything can happen in Uganda. Someone can forge evidence against you and withdraw it when he feels like. They will finally meet their families and get proper treatment.” Godfrey Solo, Bukomansimbi South representative.
Lawyer Medard Ssegona also called the government to investigate and apprehend the guilty parties as his clients were being accused falsely.
“They would not be in court in the first place. We want the guilty parties who killed the people, not the accused.” He said.
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