Sandra Ainebyoona.
Kampala, Uganda – The much-anticipated trial of Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana, both legislators facing grave charges including terrorism and murder, has encountered an unexpected obstacle due to a medical emergency. The trial, which has garnered significant public attention, was poised to proceed at the International Crimes Division (ICD).
Presided over by Justice Alice Komuhangi Khauka, the hearing at the ICD was scheduled to address multiple aspects of the case. However, Muhammad Ssegirinya, one of the accused, was notably absent from the proceedings due to a pressing medical condition. This condition compelled his travel to Germany for urgent medical attention.
The accused legislators were set for a dual hearing: one concerning the application for a stay of proceedings until the resolution of a constitutional petition in the constitutional court, and the other regarding the mention of the ongoing criminal proceedings against them.
In a bid to safeguard the rights of their clients, the defense filed an application against the court’s decision to withhold the identities of witnesses. This application raised pertinent questions about the level of transparency in a criminal matter of such significance. The defense posited that proceedings of public interest, by their very nature, should not be shielded in secrecy.
Concurrently, the prosecution was granted a specific timeline within which to provide their responses to the defense’s application for a stay of proceedings.
Together with Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana other suspects, namely Mike Sserwadda, Jude Muwonge, Bulo Wanamaker, John Mugera, and Jackson Kanyike find themselves entangled in a web of charges and legal procedures.
In 2021, Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya, along with four co-defendants, were indicted on charges of terrorism, murder, and attempted murder in relation to the machete killings that transpired in the greater Masaka district. The attacks resulted in the loss of over 20 lives and numerous injuries.
