Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has promised speedy trial of the cases involving jailed Members of Parliament Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana, who are charged with murder cases relating to the 2021 greater Masaka machete attacks.

Owiny-Dollo made the pronouncement on Friday at the opening of the New Law Year at the High Court grounds in Kampala.

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has promised speedy trial. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

The function was presided over by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who represented President Yoweri Museveni.

“I want to announce that this very quarter the trial will begin. They [Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana] will be subjected to trial," said the Chief Justice.

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao, Deputy CJ Richard Buteera and the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

"Let me say this to the state: You are the one who brought this accused person to court, you made allegations against them, the law says they are innocent until you have proved the matter in court.

"When the trial begins, and it will begin soon, there will be no games. The state has brought them and it has the capacity to bring all its witnesses in court. I will ask the trial judge not to entertain any nonsense in this trial."

Owiny-Dollo added: "They are MPs and public figures and they must get tried within the law. If the state is not ready to have them tried, one of the rights the trial judge has is to dismiss the case. We will not accept any games or excuses; they will be tried under my watch."

'Property of court'

The Chief Justice said that following their committal to the High Court, it is now up to court to ensure that the two legislators are tried the way the constitution provides expeditiously and their guilt or innocence established.

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo on arrival at the Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala for the ceremonial opening of the New Law Year 2023. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

“Some people have tried to attack courts even wrongfully to play politics in the Judiciary.  The thing we learn from Jesus is to forgive them because they don’t know what they are talking about," he said.

"The reason I am raising this now, I never responded to them because they didn’t know how the justice system provides. These accused have now been committed and they are now property of court."

Owiny-Dollo also warned defence lawyers.

Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka (left) interacting with some of the invited guests. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

“I also warn advocates for the MPs, there will be no adjournments or excuses.  We don’t want to make anyone to make the Judiciary of Uganda complicit in denying any person justice. I may even go to Masaka to watch the proceeding."

The trial of the MPs is expected to resume on February 13 at Masaka High Court.

L-R: Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo, Deputy CJ Richard Buteera, PM Robinah Nabbanja, Chief Registra Sarah Langa Siu and Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

The MPs are indicted with the murder of Joseph Bwanika, a resident of Kisseka B village in Lwengo district.

High Court Judge Lawrence Tweyanze is in charge of the case. Bwanika was among the over 20 people that were killed in the 2021 indiscriminate machete attacks in the greater Masaka region.

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao (left) interacting with Deputy CJ Emeritus Steven Kavuma. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Ssegirinya represents Kawempe North while Ssewanyana is the MP for Makindye West. They have been on remand since September 2021 and are battling the charge together with Wilson Ssenyonga alias Tony Nyonga.

They were charged with the murder of Bwanika barely a week after they had been bailed out on the charges of murder of Mugerwa Kizza and Sulaiman Kakooza, and attempted murder of Ronald Sebyoto, terrorism and abetting terrorism.

Others charged with the MPs are Bulo Wamala, John Mugerwa, Jackson Kanyike and Mike Sserwadda, who are accused of being hired by the MPs in the commission of the said offences.

The Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo (left) with the Prime Minister Rt.Hon Robinah Nabbanja and Deputy CJ Richard Buteera during the ceremonial opening of the New Law Year at Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

In regard to the charges of murder, attempted murder, terrorism and abetting terrorism, the matter is under pre-trial before the International Crimes Division of the High Court and it is expected to resume on February 20.

The charges

Prosecution alleges that between January and August 2021, the accused and others still at large with intent to intimidate the public for political, religious or economic aim, indiscriminately directly involved themselves in the murder and terror acts in the greater Masaka region.

The indictment indicates that the accused targeted the Masaka region because it allegedly attracts a lot of media attention.  

The two MPs allegedly facilitated their co-accused with cash ranging between sh50,000 to sh100,000 to execute the mission, according to the indictment presented in court by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).  

The indictment indicates that the attacks were aimed at instilling fear in the people and eventually discrediting the government.