The mother of incarcerated Kawempe North Member of Parliament Muhammed Ssegirinya has cried out to President Yoweri Museveni to pardon her son, who appeared today at Buganda Road Magistrates Court to take plea on fresh charges of inciting violence.
Ssegirinya’s mother, Justine Nakajumba, was inconsolable as she burst into tears in the courtroom as Ssegirinya explained the state of his health. The legislator, who appeared via zoom technology from Kigo Prison, looked frail and pale in his grey checkered suit and white shirt as he narrated to the Presiding Magistrate, Olga Karungi, that he had been in excruciating pain since he was rearrested earlier this month.
Ssegirinya explained that the security operatives who shoved him into a drone outside Kigo Prison during his re-arrest subjected him to grave torture. He added that his condition was getting worse by the day and he needed urgent help. The MP also alleged that his feet were rotting as he lifted his left leg to display wounds under his foot and that he was in need of surgery.
Chief Magistrate Karungi had issued a production warrant yesterday to Kigo Prison to have the legislator appear in person or virtually by 9:00am to answer to statements he made on his facebook fan’s page in August last year inciting violence.
After listening to his plea for medical assistance, Her Worship Karungi ordered an investigation into Ssegirinya’s condition and asked the Kigo Prison authorities to ensure he gets the necessary medical attention.
Ssegirinya pleaded not guilty to the charges of inciting violence and the matter was adjourned to October 29 for bail application and further mention of his case.
Outside the courtroom, a weeping Nakajumba, dressed in a blue dress with red wrapper around her waist, fell to her knees wailing and cried out to President Museveni to pardon her son so he could receive urgent medical care.
“…my son, I wanted to see him. I beg that Muzei Museveni forgives my son, he didn’t know what he was doing. Please forgive him, God has always forgiven. Please understand the pain of a parent, he is suffering….my son needs medical attention,” she said in Luganda.
Relatives close to Nakajumba supported her off the ground and escorted her to a nearby blue Mercedes Benz.
Ssegirinya’s wife, also present in a light green trouser, white blouse with red polka dots and black jacket, was seen silently crying on the side with no one to support her. She spoke to our reporter, Rashidah Nakaayi, also crying for Ssegirinya’s release and pardon.
On her part, Ssegirinya’s lawyer, Shamim Malende says investigations into these fresh charges have not yet commenced because the file is not complete.
“The police file is not even here and they are still investigating the case. His health condition is not good. Allow Hon Ssegirinya access to go out and access medical attention, or maybe even avail to him a parliamentary ambulance it doesn’t mean the cases have been abetted. His condition is dire,’’ Malende said.
