Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana finally granted bail

The development follows 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 Proesecution (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 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.

Opposition members have severally accused the Government of not creating an unfavourable environment for political participation. They say Government has which hunted them on several occasions.