MP Ssegirinya granted temporary freedom as he prepares for petition challenging his election

Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu has granted the Kawempe North MP Elect Muhammad Ssegirinya bail. 

Ssegirinya applied for bail through his lawyers led by Medard Lubega Sseggona, on grounds that the charge against him is bailable and that he ready to report to the court when needed.

The MP who was arrested for during a protest against the outcome of the January 14th presidential elections, and to demand the release of National Unity Platform supporters who are detained in various facilities across the country, has been at Kitalya Government Prison.

He appeared before Court with a cannula on his left-hand and looking frail. Court heard that he is sick, and that he has an election petition filed against him which he needs to attend to.

His lawyers also said that he had substantial sureties including Ntenjeru South MP Elect Patrick Nsanja Kayongo, Engineer Robert Mawanda and Derrick Nyeko the Makindye East MP Elect.

However, prosecution led by Jacqueline Akao objected on grounds that the case is at an advanced stage after three witnesses testified earlier and that they are left with only one witness to conclude their case, arguing that by granting Ssegirinya bail, he was most likely to interfere with the trial.

In her ruling Kamasanyu, noted that bail can be granted at any stage of the trial and she thus asked Ssegirinya to pay 3 million shillings cash and each of his three sureties to execute a non-cash bond of 50 million shillings.

She also ordered them to deposit their original Identification Cards with the court and adjourned the case to May 12th 2021 for further hearing.

Ssegirinya’s election as Kawempe North MP is being challenged due to lack of academic qualifications.