MPs Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya list six reasons for seeking bail in the High Court.
They were arrested at the Masaka central police station after responding to a summons to record statements about their alleged involvement in murders.
Members of Parliament Allan Ssewanyana for Makindye West and Muhammad Ssegirinya for Kawempe North are seeking bail before the Masaka High Court on six reasons. They are facing murder allegations.
The two, who are currently being held on remand in the Kigo government prison, were arrested last week on suspicion of involvement in the recent series of murders in the Masaka sub-region.
They were arrested at the Masaka central police station after responding to a summons to record statements about their alleged involvement in murders.
They were subsequently hauled before Masaka Chief Magistrate Charles Yeistese, who remanded them in custody until their investigations were completed and they could face prosecution.
The suspects, however, have filed bail applications with Masaka High Court through their lawyer Abubaker Ssekanjako of Lukwago and Company Advocates, requesting that they be granted freedom to face trial while out of prison.
Ssekanjako offers six reasons for the suspects’ release from the prisons where they are being held. Apart from retaining the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the two MPs are claimed to be suffering from major health issues that are difficult to handle in prison.
He has attached documents of both MPs’ medical certifications, claiming that they require specialized care that can only be provided outside of prison.
Finally, the lawyer claims that they know when the state will complete its investigation into the allegations and when the trial would begin, claiming that waiting with uncertainty could impair his client’s health.
Finally, Ssekanjako contends that his suspects are capable of providing sufficient sureties in court. Fifth, the defendants are Members of Parliament who are currently unable to carry out the duties entrusted to them by their people.
Finally, their continued detention effectively deprives Makindye West and Kawempe North residents of their fundamental right to representation.
The bail application will be heard by Lady Justice Victoria Nakintu Katamba, the Masaka High Court Resident Judge, on September 20th.
The two opposition MPs are accused of three acts of murder and attempted murder, which they reportedly perpetrated on August 23rd in the villages of Ssetaala and Ssenya in Masaka’s Kimanya-Kabonera district.
The suspects are accused of murdering Francis Kizza, Sulaiman Kakooza, and Tadeo Kiyimba, as well as attempting to murder Ronald Ssebyato of Ssetaala village in Masaka city, according to the charge sheet.
These two MPs are charged alongside four other suspects, some of whom, according to police confessions, cite the two MPs as collaborators in their admissions.
