The International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala has formally withdrawn murder and terrorism charges against the late Kawempe North MP, Muhammad Ssegirinya, following his passing earlier this year.
During a court session on Monday, Ssegirinya’s defence lawyer, Mr Samuel Mulindwa Muyiizi, asked the court to amend the indictment in light of his client’s death.
“We would want to appreciate the patience given by the court at all times when our client was ill, and oftentimes prayed for him when the court was commencing. Our client passed on January 9th, 2025 and was buried on the eleventh day and upon his death, the criminal proceedings abated. I apply to have the indictment amended,” Mr. Muyiizi stated.
Presiding over the session, Justice Alice Komuhangi Kaukha condoled with Ssegirinya’s family and friends and directed the prosecution to amend the indictment and serve all remaining disclosures by April 1, 2025.
“Because other accused persons are still on remand, it is for this reason that the Prosecution is given only two weeks to amend the indictment and also serve the remaining disclosures fully not later than April 1, 2025. The matter is adjourned to 7th and 8th April for conferencing and reading of the charges,” Justice Kaukha ruled
The prosecution led by Mr Richard Birivumbuka requested additional time to reorganize evidence and amend the indictment to exclude Ssegirinya whose charges abate automatically.
Court however said that the case will continue against Ssegirinya’s co-accused, including Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana, who is out on bail, and four others; Mike Sserwadda, Jude Muwonge, Bulo Wamala, John Mugera, and Jackson Kanyike. They face charges of murder, 15 counts of attempted murder, terrorism, and aiding and abetting terrorism.
The prosecution alleges that the group was behind a series of machete killings in the Masaka sub-region, which claimed the lives of at least 26 people between March and June 2021. The case remains in the pretrial stage before the International Crimes Division.
Ssegirinya, who was elected to Parliament in 2021, was arrested a year later and spent over 500 days on remand. He was released on bail in September 2021 but was immediately rearrested outside Kigo Prison and faced fresh murder charges linked to the Lwengo District machete killings.
Following his release, Ssegirinya struggled with health complications and was hospitalized in Uganda, Kenya, and the Netherlands before passing away at Lubaga Hospital.
A by-election held on March 13, 2025, saw National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola declared the new MP for Kawempe North, succeeding Ssegirinya, but the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), led by President Museveni, announced on March 14 that they would challenge the election results in cour
