The leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine has assured Ugandans that they will take all legal means to ensure that their members; Allan Ssewanyana and Muhammad Ssegirinya regain their freedom.
Kyagulanyi also noted that they will do all in their power to block plans to amend the law and stop bail for suspects of capital offences.
Accompanied by the party secretary general, David Lewis Lubongoya and the party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi, Kyagulanyi visited Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana at Kigo prison.
“We found them in high spirits, but unfortunately sickly and frail. In particular, Hon. Ssegirinya’s foot is in a very bad state after he was violently arrested and beaten up by security operatives moving in a drone. The two Members of Parliament told us how they were mistreated and tortured by operatives before they were once again remanded to Kigo,” he said.
Recently while Speaking from Kigo Prison, Ssegirinya said he ‘‘was operated after sustaining various injuries on his right foot during the re-arrest.”
Kyagulanyi lashed out at the state for failure to clearly indicate what evidence they have against these two legislators, adding that this shows that it is nothing like a prosecution but, rather, a persecution.
“Even when they were given bail, the two MPs were re-arrested on dictator Museveni’s orders. We know that they are doing this to try and implicate the NUP in various crimes that are clearly orchestrated by the regime itself,” he said.
He noted that as the party they will continue to demand for their release and to condemn their continued illegal detention.
On September 20, Masaka High Court granted bail to the MPs, but Ssewanyana was viciously rearrested by plain clothed armed men and forced into a van infamously known as a drone as he walked out of Kigo Prison on September 23, 2021.
Ssegirinya was arrested in the same manner on September 27 as he left the detention centre, Kigo prison.
Under the charge of terrorism, the MPs and their co-accused are said to have an intent of intimidating the public or a section of the public for political, religious or economic aim, indiscriminately without regard to the safety of others or property.
They are also accused of directly involving themselves in the murders or attempted murders in Masaka and Rakai and they allegedly committed the offences between January and August.
Under the charge of aiding and abetting terrorism, the legislators are accused of financing Mike Sserwadda, Jude Muwonge, Wamala Bulo, and John Mugerwa, despite having a believe that the financial support would be used in acts of terrorism.
They are also accused of killing three people and attempting to murder another in the Greater Masaka Sub-region.
Once convicted of murder and terrorism charges, the MPs stand to be handed the maximum punishment of death by hanging.