The embattled Members of Parliament, Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana have again applied for bail in the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kololo, a Kampala suburb.

The legislators, Ssegirinya (Kawempe North) and Ssewanyana (Makindye West) applied for bail through their lawyers Caleb Alaka, Samuel Muyizzi and Shamim Malende on Thursday, August 11. 

This is the fourth time the legislators are seeking to be released on bail. 

Alaka told court presided over by the pre-trial judge, Elizabeth Jane Alividza, that the two National Unity Platform (NUP) party legislators filed the bail application as directed by the Court of Appeal Judges, Cheborion Barishaki, Christopher Izama Madrama and Eva Luswata.

“I request you give us a date for hearing of the bail application so that your humble servants get justice,” Alaka pleaded with court.

The two MPs face several counts of murder, terrorism and attempted murder, jointly with five others, over last year’s spate of murders in the greater Masaka region. They have been on remand at Kitalya Prison for close to a year.

Meanwhile, Counsel Geoffrey Turyamusiima also requested court to release one of the accused, Jude Muwonge from prison, saying he was never committed to the High Court for trial.

“The accused is illegal in court. I pray that he is released from Prison,” Turyamusiima requested.

The Judge, however, said she will study the file before deciding whether to release the accused or not.

Background

Prosecution alleges that between January and August last year, the accused and others still at large, with intent to intimidate the public for political, religious or economic purposes, indiscriminately directly involved themselves in the murders and attempted murder of people in the Masaka region.

In November last year, the MPs, together with Bulo Wamala, John Mugerwa, Jackson Kanyike and Mike Sserwadda, were committed for trial over the murder of Mugerwa Kizza, Sulaiman Kakooza and attempted murder of Ronald Sebyoto.