Parliament on Friday hosted aggrieved wives to jailed legislators currently remanded at Kigo Prison on charges of murder and terrorism.
The Mp’s Hon Muhammad Ssegirinya, Kawempe North and Allan Ssewanyana, Makindye West have been in jail for close to seven months in connection to machete murders in the Greater Masaka Region that left at least 30 persons dead.
Twahira Akandinda, Ssegirinya’s wife, and Ssewanyana’s wife Lydia Namata were escorted by Ssegirinya’s mother Justine Sanyu Nakajumba, Peter Mugema aka Panadol the Iganga Municipality MP and David Kabanda, the Kasambya County MP.
They failed to interact with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon Anita Among but all three managed to walk out with 5 million shillings each, as a sympathy token from the speaker to cater for their families.
However, the two desperate women seized the opportunity to beg for Parliament’s influence in ensuring a speedy trial or bail for their husbands.
Both women claimed their children have become a laughing stalk before their peers at school and home because of the accusations of murder meted on their fathers. They allege that as a result, they are psychologically traumatized and unable to concentrate properly at school or interact with others at home.
“You find a child tells you, Mum why is my father a murderer? We can’t blame them because they watch TV and see these things on social media but it tortures them.They ask when the father will return and am lost for words . If only the Deputy Speaker can influence their bail,” Namata said
“Our request is to help our husbands get bail, and get proper medication. My children often make me explain the whereabouts of their father who is consistently absent from home, They are psychological trauma,“Twahira explained
Chris Obore, Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs later arranged for private transportation to their respective homes.
This week Ssegirinya’s mother stormed Parliament for the second time, pleading for the release of her son.
Nakajumba was escorted by Ssegirinya’s wife as the duo walked to Parliament’s gate asking for the release of MP Ssegirinya who has been on remand since September 2021 on murder and terrorism charges.
She was later forwarded to the offices of Obore where she was assured that Parliament cannot meddle in criminal affairs.
Obore cautioned Nakajumba to stay away from people misleading her that Parliament has the power and mandate to influence the release of her detained son from jail. He however assured her that Parliament will do its best to advocate for a speedy trial.
