The High Court in Masaka has adjourned until February 13 and 14th the dates for the hearing of bail application by Makindye West Member of Parliament, Allan Ssewanyana and Kawempe North MP, Muhammad Ssegirinya.
This was after the hearing failed to kick off today as scheduled.
The court judge, Lawrence Tweyanze inquired if the parties were ready to proceed with the trial of the case, but the prosecution led by Richard Birivumbuka informed court that they were not ready to proceed and asked for another date.
According to Birivumbuka, the prosecution is unable to bear the burden of handling the cases in both Kampala and Masaka involving the same suspects and witnesses at the same time, as such requested to expedite the case before the ICD in Kampala before embarking on the trial of the Masaka cases.
Counsel for the accused Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago described the new prosecution position as very baffling since its against their earlier stance in which they vehemently opposed handling both matters at ago.
Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago had lined up Hon Kasibante Moses, Hon Ssewungu Gonzaga, Hon Nyeko Derrick, Hon. Kayemba solo, Hon. Patrick Nsanja and Hon. Ssewanyana’s mother (Mukyala Sendaula) as sureties.
The trial judge adjourned the case to 13th and 14th February 2023 for hearing of the said application.
MPs Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya have been on remand now for two years on alleged charges of murder, terrorism, and attempted murder related to the 2021 machete killings in the Greater Masaka region.
State prosecutors alleges that the group planned the alleged murders at Happy Boys in Namasuba, Makindye Kalenda, and Kayanja Estate House in Kampala.
The legislators are battling capital offences which attract a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.
The adjournment comes at a time when Hon. Ssewanyana is in ailing health conditions at Mulago hospital and government has outrightly rejected request by the convicts lawyers and National Unity Platform to have him treated in more specialized private hospitals.
Justice Tweyanze however, ordered that Hon.Ssewanyana be allowed access to specialized treatment following his lawyer’s plea for his health to be prioritized.
