Judge tasks Prosecutors
The International Crimes Division Court has ordered State Prosecutors to explain how one of the suspects was accidentally charged alongside two Members of Parliament – Allan Ssewanyana and Mohammed Ssegirinya.
The suspect, Jude Muwonge, was jointly charged with Sewanyana and Segirinya for murder, attempted murder, aiding and abetting terrorism, in the spate of killings in the Greater Masaka Region.
Seven suspects on the same charge sheet all appeared before the International Crimes Division for pretrial. Others include: Jackson Kanyike, John Mugerwa, Bull Wamala and Mike Sserwadda.
State Prosecutors told court that the suspect who has been on remand for over seven months was placed on the same charge sheet as the jailed MPs by mistake after his documents for committal to High Court on November 21, 2021, for trial were missing.
Muwonge told the Court that he was arraigned before Masaka Magistrates Court on September 1, 2021, and charged with the murder of John Francis Mugerwa before being remanded to Kitalya prison for seven months. Thereafter, he was transferred to Masaka Prison and later to Luzira where he stays to date.
Judge tasks Prosecutors
Muwonge stated that he was told by the prison officers to prepare for an appearance before the High Court. He says he has never appeared before the court with any of the other co-accused persons apart from Sserwadda.
Muwonge’s lawyers led by Geoffrey Turyamusiima asked the Court to discharge Muwonge on the grounds that he is in the High Court illegally. He added that the charge sheet should have six and not seven suspects as is the case.
Birivumbuka, however, asked the Court to send him back to Masaka Chief Magistrates Court such that proper action and due process are taken.
Presiding judge Alice Komuhangi Khauka, ruled that based on Muwonge’s confirmation of a trial initiated by the Court in Masaka, there is an error which must be corrected by the Prosecutors. She gave them one last chance to explain why Muwonge is in court and to avail court with necessary proof documents.
The Prosecution has also finalized their investigation into charges against Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya.
The accused persons have been remanded until October 10, 2022.
Compiled by Rashidah Nakaayi
