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.
The directive was issued during a heated plenary session on Thursday, January 23, 2025, after opposition legislators raised concerns over alleged human rights violations against Dr. Besigye and other inmates at Luzira.
Section 3 (1) of the Parliamentary Election Act, 2005 provides that whenever a Member of Parliament dies, or where the seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant, the Clerk to Parliament shall notify the Commission in writing within 10 days after the vacancy has occurred; and a by-election shall be held within 60 days after the vacancy has occurred.
Throughout his career, he found himself entangled in a series of intense legal battles, from inciting violence cases almost always, to winning election petitions to terrorism charges, which tested his resolve and resilience. Despite these challenges, Ssegirinya remained a vocal advocate for the rights of the marginalized and oppressed, inspiring a generation of Ugandans to stand up for what they believe in.
Mugera was first denied bail by Lady Justice Elizabeth Jane Alividza in 2022 on grounds that his sureties didn't have a credible source of income and therefore they didn't have a strong financial status to be found substantial.
All three applications are seeking to halt the terrorism trial against the Members of Parliament. Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha has stated that the applications will be handled separately as it's practically not possible to consolidate them.
The main case was expected to continue today with the further marking of exhibits of the evidence the Prosecutors intend to rely on to pin the MPs and four others for the charges that stem from machete killings that rocked the greater Masaka district in 2021 leaving more than 20 people dead and scores injured.
Fox Odoi, the Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee of Parliament, who doubles as the West Budama North East representative defended Byabashaija, saying his actions are within his legal mandate as the Prisons boss.
Muyizzi told the Court that he had talked to his clients and other defense lawyers involved in the legislator's trial to transfer their bail application files to Masaka High court in the interest of justice.
In the application, the prosecutors prayed to have delayed disclosure of the identities of those witnesses, limiting the number of people to access the information and keeping the log of persons handling information related to those witnesses.
Ssegirinya had been accused of staging a protest at Mini-Price in Kampala against the outcome of last year's presidential election and demanding the release of National Unity Platform supporters most of whom were at that time detained in various facilities across the country.
Prior to his arraignment at Buganda Road Court, Ssegirinya had been arrested on September 7th 2021 by police in Masaka District together with Makindye West Member of Parliament Allan Ssewanyana and accordingly sent to Kigo prison on charges related to terrorism, aiding and abetting terrorism, murder and attempted murder .
The prosecution alleges that between August and September 2020 while in Kampala, Ssegirinya alias Mr Update made statements on his Facebook page "Ssegirinya Muhammad Fans Page " calculated to incite the public to participate in violence against a section or group of Ugandans.
Applicant number one Ssewanyana was the first to sign on the three copies of the forms after being directed to read through the terms and conditions. He was then followed by Ssegirinya who seemed eagerly waiting to leave jail, as his co accused Ssewanyana told him to first read through before signing even though he had started signing without reading.
Others include Sulaiman Kidandala who wanted to serve copies of the petition to his rival Muhammad Ssegirinya who had been sent to Kitalya prison and Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu against Muhammad Nsereko.
Through his lawyers led by Medard Lubega Sseggona, Ssegirinya asked court presided over by Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu to be released on bail on grounds that the charge against him is bailable and that he ready to report to the court when needed.
Although the prosecution team led by Joan Keko and Jacqueline Akao told the court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu that they were ready to present witnesses and start the trial, the defence team said that they had not been served with witness statements and other disclosures the Prosecution intends to rely on during the hearing.
Segirinya was arrested on Monday, March 22, 2021, from Mini Price, downtown Kampala during a protest organised to contest the outcome of the January 14, presidential election, and to demand the release of National Unity Platform supporters who are detained in various facilities across the country.
