KAMPALA –The family of Makindye West representative in the Ugandan Parliament, Allan Ssewanyana on Tuesday confirmed his whereabouts – but hastened to add that his health condition was stressful – requiring the immediate attention a counsellor.
The high court in Masaka – on Monday released Ssewanyana as well as his Kawempe North counterpart Muhammad Ssegirinya on bail after 16 months in Kigo prisons on charges of terrorism, murder, attempted murder, and aiding and abetting terrorism.
The state alleges that the two legislators were behind a wave of machete-wielding attacks that claimed 26 people in the greater Masaka region in 2021.
Family sources confirmed that security operatives had on Monday dropped Ssewanyana at his grandmother’s home in Masuulita – but the MP was reportedly rushed to unnamed hospital for medical attention in the middle of the night after observing that his mental health wasn’t stable.
“The MP’s behaviours were erratic – he complained of general body weakness – he couldn’t stand on his own yet he was muttering uncoordinated sound,” revealed Vicent Mujabi – the legislator’s brother, who added that at times their grand-mum notified them about the security forces dropping of Ssewanyana at her home – he was at Kigo Prisons in the company of hundreds – including lawyers – who had turned up at the facility to present documentary proof from Masaka Court in order to officially receive the two MPs.
Ssewanyana’s personal assistant – Haruna Ssebagala noted that before the group at Kigo had received information that the MP had been dropped off in Masulita – a search for the whereabouts of the same persons – yielded no fruits – leading to fears that a repeat of previous situations – where the MPs were released but re-arrested had surfaced.
Ssebagala revealed that a psychiatrist had advised how Ssewanyana needed professional counselling services to overcome the trauma – resulting from his long stay on remand.
Relatedly – the family of Kawempe North legislator Ssegirinya confirmed his release and safety– but added that he needed some rest before appearing in public at an appropriate time.
Alex Luswa Luwemba – Ssegirinya’s assistant recounted a similar ordeal to that of the Ssewanyanas – revealing that the legislator’s mum had confirmed his safety at a secret location.
“What I can tell you, for now, is that the MP was released and is safe as far as I am concerned – and he would be availing himself at an appropriate time,” said Luwemba.
The Masaka High Court Judge Lawrence Tweyanze granted the two MPs a Ugx20m cash bail each after the state through chief state attorney -Richard Birivumbuka – withdrew its objection stand in the same case.
Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition –LoP, Mathias Mpuuga has threaten to drag a local newspaper – Daily Monitor to court over alleged defamation – stemming from the running of a story titled; ‘How MPs Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana walked to freedom,’ carried in the pages of its Tuesday publication. Click here for Lukwago’s letter.
It should be recalled that this publication also carried a similar story and would soon make a follow-up of how Mpuuga’s participation in the negotiations leading the release of the two lawmakers on Tuesday has created a deep lift with a number of top guns with the National Unity Platform party ranks.
