In a startling turn of events, the murder trial involving Members of Parliament (MPs) Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana, along with five others, has been temporarily suspended following allegations of torture leveled by one of the accused.
The proceedings, overseen by Justice Alice Komuhangi at the International Crimes Division of the High Court, were brought to a halt on Monday, February 19, 2024, as the court deemed it necessary to address Mike Sserwadda’s claims of human rights violations before proceeding further.
Justice Komuhangi, in her ruling, emphasized the significance of addressing issues related to human rights violations, especially during pre-trial proceedings within the criminal justice system. Consequently, the trial has been stayed until the matter raised by Sserwadda is thoroughly investigated and resolved.
Among the other individuals implicated in the case are Bulo Wamala, John Mugerwa, Jackson Kanyike, and Jude Muwonge, all facing charges alongside the two MPs.
Ssegirinya, representing Kawempe North, and Ssewanyana, representing Makindye West, are accused not only of murder but also of terrorism and attempted murder, stemming from a series of violent incidents in the Masaka region.
The severity of the charges cannot be understated, with murder and terrorism carrying the possibility of a death penalty upon conviction, while attempted murder carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
According to the charge sheet, spanning from January to August 2021, the accused, along with others still at large, allegedly engaged in acts of violence with the intent to intimidate the public for various purposes, including political motives, within the Masaka region.
The indictment further reveals that the MPs and their associates were implicated in the murder of Mugerwa Kizza, Sulaiman Kakooza, and the attempted murder of Ronald Sebyoto, leading to their commitment for trial in November 2022.
Shockingly, one of the accused, Sserwadda, purportedly confessed to his involvement in the crimes and implicated his accomplices, alleging collaboration with Wamala, Kanyike, Mugerwa, and the two MPs in pursuit of their political objectives.
The indictment suggests that the meetings orchestrating these violent acts were attended by Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana, with coordination allegedly provided by Wamala and Diego Bukenya, who remains at large.
Furthermore, the prosecution alleges that the MPs provided financial support to their co-accused, ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 shillings, to facilitate the execution of their purported mission.
