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The hearing of a case in which embattled MPs Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana, are accused of murder, has flopped for the second time.

This was after the defence lawyer, Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa told the court that Kawempe North MP Ssegirinya is sick and admitted at St Francis Nsambya Hospital in Kampala.

“Ssegirinya has an acute medical condition and is in critical condition,” the lawyer told court on Tuesday. Ssegirinya’s surety Robert Walugembe Mawanda was present in court.

This prompted Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha of the International Crimes Division of the High Court to adjourn the case to February 19, 2024, for further hearing.

“I consider the confidential letter from Nsambya Hospital and grant an adjournment,” she said. The Judge also directed the prosecution to conclude the process of disclosing evidence they intend to use during the trial to the defence lawyers.

Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana (Makindye West) face several counts of murder, terrorism and attempted murder, jointly with five others, emanating from the spate of killings in Masaka region. The offences attract the death penalty on conviction.

The other suspects are Bulo Wamala, John Mugerwa, Jackson Kanyike, Mike Sserwadda and Jude Muwonge.

The State Attorney from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Richard Birivumbuka, wished Ssegirinya a quick recovery.

Background

“Between January and August in 2021, 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 Masaka region,” the charge sheet reads.

In November last year, the MPs, together with the five others, were committed for trial over the murder of Mugerwa Kizza, Sulaiman Kakooza and the attempted murder of Ronald Sebyoto.

According to the indictment seen by New Vision Online, one of the accused (Sserwadda) allegedly confessed to having participated in the murders and revealed that he was working with Wamala, Kanyike, Mugerwa and the two MPs to reclaim their presidential ‘victory’.

The meetings, which are said to have been graced by Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana, were allegedly co-ordinated by Wamala and Diego Bukenya, who is still at large.

The indictment stated that the accused targeted the Masaka region because it attracts media attention.

Prosecution alleges that the legislators allegedly gave their co-accused cash ranging from shillings 50,000 to shillings 100,000 to execute the ‘mission’.