The International Crimes Division of the High Court has terminated terrorism charges against former Kawempe North Member of Parliament Muhammad Ssegirinya following his death on January 9, 2025.
Presiding over the case on Monday, Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khauka ruled that since Ssegirinya is deceased, the charges against him automatically abate.
She extended her condolences to his family, friends, and legal representatives from Alaka & Company Advocates and Lukwago & Company Advocates, led by lawyer Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa.
The Judge directed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), represented by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, to file an amended indictment by April 1, 2025.
She emphasized that the prosecution must comply with this directive as other suspects remain on remand.
Those still facing trial include Jackson Kanyike, John Mugerwa, Bull Wamala, and Mike Sserwadda, who remain in custody alongside Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana, who is out on bail.
On November 21, 2021, the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court committed the accused group to the International Crimes Division of the High Court to face trial on multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, aiding, and abetting terrorism.
The charges stem from their alleged involvement in the Greater Masaka machete killings, which occurred between March and June 2021, claiming over 20 lives and injuring several others.
Justice Komuhangi scheduled April 7, 2025, as the date for marking exhibits and reading the amended charges to the accused, following the revision of the indictment.
Chief State Attorney Birivumbuka informed the court that Ssegirinya had initially been charged alongside the other accused. He requested lawyer Muyizzi to officially brief the court on Ssegirinya’s death.
Muyizzi confirmed that Ssegirinya had died on January 9, 2025, and was buried two days later.
He explained that his client’s death effectively terminated the legal instructions he had given to his lawyers from Alaka & Company Advocates and Lukwago & Company Advocates.
“Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana were jointly accused, almost like conjoined twins, because of how the charges were drafted against them,” Muyizzi told the court.
He added that with Ssegirinya’s name removed from the indictment, the legal basis of the case against Ssewanyana would also be questionable.
In response, Birivumbuka acknowledged that the charges against Ssegirinya automatically abate and that the prosecution would need time to amend the indictment.
He also expressed condolences to Ssegirinya’s family and the people of Kawempe North.
Lawyer Nicholas Ssenkumi, representing other accused persons, urged the court to grant a shorter adjournment, noting that some suspects have lost loved ones while in custody. Justice Komuhangi granted the prosecution two weeks to revise its case.
“We condole with the family and counsel for the loss of someone close to them. May his soul rest in peace,” the Judge said.
The remaining accused were remanded until next month, while Ssewanyana’s bail was extended.
Appearing in court for the first time without Ssegirinya since 2021, Ssewanyana reportedly looked distraught.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Muyizzi claimed that the terrorism charges against Ssegirinya were politically motivated.
“These charges were dead on arrival, they are dead now, and they will also die again in the future,” Muyizzi asserted. “If they accused Ssewanyana of conspiring with Ssegirinya, what will they allege now that Ssegirinya is no longer on the indictment?”
Ssewanyana also weighed in on the matter, criticizing the government’s stance on Ssegirinya.
He noted that during the recent by-election to replace Ssegirinya, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) promised to support his widows and pay school fees for his children.
“How can the government and Parliament claim to take care of someone they branded a terrorist?” Ssewanyana questioned. “Ssegirinya died an innocent man.”
On March 13, 2025, the Electoral Commission declared National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi as the new Kawempe North MP, following a highly contested by-election in which NRM’s Faridah Nambi Kigongo was defeated by a significant margin.
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