Exactly after spending 17 months and six days legislators Muhammad Ssegirinya of Kawempe South and Allan Ssewanyana of Makindye West have been given a cash bail of Shs20m at Masaka High court.
Mr Medard Ssegona, the lead counsel in the case confirmed to this media house that the duo will be commutting from home to answer to the charges of murder and attempted murder among other cases.
“It is true that they have been granted bail and they are coming home. It is clear our clients did not have a case to answer and at last the sun has shone on them,” Mr Ssegona said in a brief interview.
This is not the first time the duo has been granted bail.
Mr Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya were both arrested on September 7, 2021 alongside seven others and charged with several counts in killings in greater Masaka region where machete weilding gangs caused the death of more than 27 people.
On 21st September, 2021 the judges while appearing video, they were both granted bail, but were re-arrested after stepping out of Kigo Prisons where they had been incarcerated for weeks.
Government State Attorney later announced that fresh murder charges had been slapped on the legislators who at the time had been reported to be ailing with different conditions.
Through their lawyers, the MPs filed to the International Crimes Division of the High Court demanding compensation of Shs300m and a declaration that their re-arrest shortly after being granted bail was a violation of their human rights.
However this application was quashed by the same court upon final hearing.
Earlier today, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) withdrew three affidavits objecting the MPs’ bail application. The announcement was made by Senior State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka.
“We went on to present the sureties for bail before the judgment on the bail application is heard. The sureties were granted bail of Shs50m non-cash,” Mr Ssegona said.
