The Masaka Grade I Magistrates Court has issued a warrant of arrest against the former Masaka City Council Speaker Tony Ssempijja on charges of forgery and uttering of false documents.
The Court president over by Grade I Magistrate Elias Abdallah Keiza issued the warrant of arrest on Friday after Ssempijja failed to respond to criminal summons previously issued against him.
In November last year, the court sanctioned the charges of forgery and presenting false documents against Ssempijja after he sued the Masaka City Council, which he accused of illegally censoring him from the office of Speaker.
The Masaka City Councillors, by a majority vote, censured Ssempijja, accusing him of forging council minutes, misusing his power to mistreat them, exerting undue supremacy over them, and neglecting his parental responsibilities, which puts the council in public disrepute.
However, Ssempijja, who is the City councillor for the Kimanya-Kabionera division, went to challenge his censure, which was presided over by the Minister of Local Government Raphael Magyezi, arguing that a decision was taken without a quorum.
He also alleged a witch-hunt by a section of councillors and the technical staff, arguing that despite his pleas, he was not granted a fair hearing.
But in their affidavits of reply filed by Masaka City Clerk Daniel Kaweesa, the court heard that Ssempijja had forged council minutes and other official documents which he had relied upon to challenge his censor.
He was also accused of conniving with Vincent Luwaga, Masaka City Council Clerk and Alice Nnanungi, the former Secretary for Works and Social Services, to forge signatures on affidavits they attached to court records.
Consequently, the trial magistrate sanctioned charges of forgery against Ssempijja and his two accomplices, with whom he was arrested in December last year, pending their trial.
Meanwhile, the trial magistrate observes that Ssempijja has continuously ignored criminal court summons and has filed responses to the charges, which also amounts to contempt of court.
The court heard that the continued absence of Ssempijja in court was negatively affecting the trial of the other accused persons, thereby issuing an order for his arrest to face his charges.
Irene Nnanyunja, the Masaka City Council Deputy Speaker, indicates that they have been serving Ssempijja on all court summons issued to him, feigning ignorance about his reasons for not attending court.
However, this website has established from Ssempijja’s close associates that he fled the country in January this year after he alleged political persecution.
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