The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Masaka, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Members of Parliament Allan Ssewanyana for Makindye West and Muhammad Ssegirinya for Kawempe North who are facing charges of murder are citing six grounds on which they are seeking bail before the Masaka High Court.
The two, currently on remand at the Kigo government prison facility were arrested last week on allegations of participating in the recent spate of murders that occurred in Masaka sub-region.
They were detained at Masaka central police station after they had responded to summons that required them to record statements about their alleged involvement in murders.
These were eventually arraigned before Charles Yeistese, the Masaka Chief Magistrate who remanded them to prison until investigations are complete such that they face prosecution.
However, the suspects through their lawyer Abubaker Ssekanjako of Lukwago and Company Advocates, have filed bail applications before Masaka High Court seeking that they are granted freedom to face trial while outside prison.
Ssekanjako adduces six grounds to justify the release of the suspects from prison facilities where they are incarcerated. Besides holding onto the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the two MPs are said to be suffering from serious health complications that cannot be managed well in prison facilities.
He has attached copies of medical certificates of both MPs, arguing that they need specialized healthcare that can only be secured outside prison.
Thirdly, according to the lawyer, they are also sure of when the state will complete their investigations into the allegations for the trial to commence, saying that waiting with uncertainty may worsen his clients health conditions.
Fourthly, Ssekanjako also argues moreover that his suspects are capable of presenting substantial sureties to court. Fifth, the accused are Members of Parliament who at the moment cannot execute responsibilities as vested in them by their constituents.
And finally, their indefinite incarceration in effect is depriving citizens of Makindye West and Kawempe North of their fundamental rights to representation.
Court has allocated September 20th to hear the bail application before Lady Justice Victoria Nakintu Katamba, the Masaka High Court Resident Judge.
The two opposition MPs are charged with three counts of murder and attempted murder, offenses they allegedly committed on 23rd August this year, at Ssetaala and Ssenya villages located in Kimanya-Kabonera division in Masaka city.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects are accused of murdering Francis Kizza, Sulaiman Kakooza, and Tadeo Kiyimba and attempted to murder Ronald Ssebyato of Ssetaala village in Masaka city.
These are jointly charged with four more suspects, some of whom according to police confession by culprits in their statements, mention the two MPs as their accomplices.
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