Embattled Kawempe North Legislator Hon. Muhammed Ssegirinya appeared at the Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning for the mention of a case on inciting violence.
The distressed legislator was arrested on March 22, 2021, at Mini-Price in downtown Kampala while protesting against the outcome of the presidential elections that were held on January, 14. He also demanded the release of National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters in various detention facilities.
According to the prosecution, the Mp was seen carrying placards and calling people to join him as he protested in downtown without permission from police.
Ssegirinya appeared in court today via zoom technology from Luzira ,Murchison bay to a court room quite full of family and relatives. He was represented by his lawyer Shamim Malende, who requested court to grant her client bail unsuccessfully. However, the case was soon adjourned to 24th February 2022 after the prosecution failed to show.
Presiding Grade One Magistrate Her Worship Owomugisha Siena noted that since the State Attorney and witnesses in the case were absent, nothing would proceed.
Our Court reporter Rashidah Nakaayi confirmed that the MP appeared unwell with an unusual swollen face, unmatched skin tone and sad outlook. She says Ssegirinya remained mute throughout the entire session until his case was adjourned.
After the session, his mother Nanfuka Josephine, who has a stern record for yelling and rolling on the mud in protest of her son’s detention, remained composed but only reiterated her request to the President to pardon the Legislator.
The case was recently transferred from the Nakawa Magistrate’s Court,under Her Worship Doreen Karungi.
The ailing MP and his counter part Allan Ssewanyana, the Makindye West MP are also facing other charges related to murder ,attempted murder and terrorism for machete murders in the Greater Masaka area.
The two MPs were re-arrested in September,2021 shortly after being released on bail. The state preferred against them fresh charges of murder in addition to seven counts of murder and terrorism for they were earlier charged with.
Their lawyer Malende stated that MPs were battling acute health conditions of Renal-failure, acute diabetes, and hypertension that cannot be effectively managed at the facilities where they are being detained, hence the need for bail.
Malende was protesting the delayed investigations into fresh murder charges against the MPs while they appeared before the Masaka Grade One Magistrate Christine Nantege, for further mention of their case on November, 2021.
However, the prosecution told court that they are still operating within the six-month period within which investigations can be done before a suspect is granted mandatory bail by the court.
