I was grabbed like a chicken thief - MP Ssekikubo cries out

COURT

MASAKA-Chief Magistrates Court has granted bail to the Lwemiyaga County MP, Theodore Ssekikubo for the second time in a period of one week.

Ssekikubo who was granted bail on Monday after the state reinstated seven counts related to the violent NRM Party structures elections for Ssembabule district in 2010, was arrested on January 15 at his home and charged afresh for inciting violence over the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) quarantine.

Ssekikubo appeared before the Masaka Chief Magistrate,Deo Ssejjemba on June 16 where he granted him bail and the case adjourned  to February 18.

The Senior State Attorney Ivan Nkasibwe expressed concern over Ssekikubo continuous habit of inciting the public even after the court had earlier granted him bail over similar charges.

" I was shocked that even after Court had granted the applicant bail on Monday ,he went to Radio 5 in Kiruhura district and made statements that incite the public again, this time court should issue stringent measures for his bail," he said.

Ssekikubo who was released on a non-cash bail of  sh10m, denied the charges.    Prosecution led by the Senior State Attorney, Ivan Nkasibwe stated that Ssekikubo incited violence in Lwemiyaga  where dairy farmers  had their milk poured in protest of  the Food and Mouth Disease quarantine.

Hon Ssekikubo addresses the press

Medard Ssegona the lead counsel for Ssekikubo expressed concern over the Police continued abuse of the court process on matters related to his client.  He said arrests against Ssekikubo without first summoning him is a violation of his rights.   He said they arrest and prefer charges without the knowledge of his legal team.

Speaking to the press, Ssekikubo regretted that he was handled like a chicken thief during his arrest.  " They found me in my bedroom when I was about to take a  bath, they just carried me away to the waiting police pick up and brought me to the police cells in Masaka," he said. Ssekikubo asked President Museveni not to remain silent  on  the matter. 

He cited the Security Minister,Gen Elly Tumwine who claims is behind his arrests. In a related development the Animal Industry Minister,Bright Rwamirama has pitched camp in Ssembabule to address the FMD crisis.