Pre-trial of jailed NUP legislators fails again as case gets new judge

According to lawyer Shamim Malende, Hon Segirinya and Hon Allan were physically brought to court, the case has  New judge in the Names of ALICE KOMUHANGI. Court had three sessions.

1st session was in judges chambers on an exparte application by state for witness protection, as defence we applied to be availed a copy so that we can apply to have the matter inter-parte. Ruling is on 26/9/2022. 2nd session was our application for consolidation of criminal charges. Ruling is on 28/9/2022. 3rd session was on status of pretrial disclosure which is subject to a ruling of 26/9/2022. Mention date for main case is on 10/10/2022.Thank you for the solidarity.

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 The pre-trial of jailed Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West) and Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North) has flopped for the fourth time and is likely to delay, after the case was assigned to a new judge.

The two embattled legislators’ trial faced a setback last month following the transfer of the trial judge, Ms Jane Elizabeth Alidza to the Lands division of the High Court. At the time of her transfer, Ms Alidza was in the final stages of hearing preliminary evidence against the accused.

When the matter came up for further pre-trial before the International Crimes Division of the High Court on Tuesday, prosecution led by Mr Richard Birivumbuka told the newly appointed judge, Ms Alice Komuhangi Kauka, who needs to first go through the whole file first- that investigations in the case were complete.

The duo is accused of being behind the spate of killings in Masaka Sub-region that left about 26 residents killed between March and August 2021.

They face charges ranging from terrorism, murder, and attempted murder and aiding and abetting terrorism.

Court heard that there are three applications in the case that needed to first be heard before the further hearing of this case, which include; jailed lawyer Male Mabirizi who seeks to halt the trial of the duo, an application for witness protection and bail application.

Justice Alividza then expressed concern after the submission of the defense lawyers why one of the of the suspects Jude Muwonge is before court yet he was never formally committed by the Masaka Court.

Justice Komuhangi has fixed September 28 to decide whether to consolidate the applications.

SOURCE: Daily Monitor