Government had no hand in our release from prison, Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana speak out

During a press conference held at the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters today, Ssegirinya said there was no negotiations between them, their party and the Government for them to be released from prison.

“I was arrested unlawfully, I don't know why I was in prison because I am innocent. I want our supporters to know that there were no negotiations between us, our party and the Government for us to be released from prison,” the formerly jailed Member of Parliament (MP), Ssegirinya, told the media.

The duo vowed to continue fighting for people, mostly NUP supporters, who are still under arrest for no crime committed.

“We shall continue to appeal that all political prisoners still incarcerated are given freedom,” Ssewanyana said.

Ssegirinya said he will continue with his work to help people of his constituency in order for them to improve their livelihoods.

“I know my people suffer from diseases like gonorrhea and malaria. Medicine was there,” he said.

The two MPs were granted bail at Masaka High Court following a ruling by Justice Lawrence Tweyanze in February this year (2023).

The development followed the withdrawal of three affidavits of prosecution witnesses by the State Attorney in the case, Richard Birivumbuka.

The affidavits had been sworn by Thomas Jatiko, Jennifer Amumpaire and Detective SP Innocent Mubangizi and tendered in on January 23, 2023.

Birivumbuka told court that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) directed prosecution not to object to their bail application.

The DPP said prosecution should simply make their submissions on bail terms.

The state attorney asked court for a “substantial amount of cash” to be imposed on the two legislators if court is to release them on bail.

The two were remanded on charges of murder, terrorism, and attempted murder relating to a spate of machete murders that rocked the Greater Masaka region in 2021.

Prosecution alleged that both MPs planned the murders at Happy Boys, Kalenda, and Kayanja Estate House in Kampala.

The legislators are still battling capital offences which attract a maximum sentence of death upon conviction. Both legislators have been in jail since September 2021. This means the MPs have been in jail for at least two and half years.