The death of Kawempe North Division MP, Muhammad Ssegirinya has united legislators across the political spectrum in urging the government to ensure that suspects are not denied police bond or court bail.
During a special sitting presided over by the speaker Annet Anita Among, MPs paid tribute to Ssegirinya while condemning acts of torture and the trial of civilians in military courts.
Popularly known as “Mr Update,” Ssegirinya passed away on Thursday after a prolonged illness.
Ssegirinya, who spent two years in detention without being granted bail, succumbed while still facing terrorism charges. Alongside his Makindye West counterpart, Allan Ssewanyana, he was repeatedly denied bail, sparking widespread criticism.
Legislators believe that Ssegirinya’s prolonged incarceration, coupled with inadequate medical care, exacerbated his condition. His arrest and detention stemmed from allegations of involvement in the Masaka machete killings of September 2021.
In their eulogies, MPs from across the opposition, independents, and the ruling NRM called on the government to drop charges against political prisoners, including MP Ssewanyana.
Some lawmakers argued that the charges against the two MPs were politically motivated, with the state failing to present evidence while continuing to deny them bail.
Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa, who also chairs the Muslim caucus in parliament, was particularly vocal in calling for the charges to be dropped. He highlighted how Ssegirinya was denied bail despite urgently needing medical attention, a decision many believe contributed to his untimely death.
However the minister of State for Veteran Affairs, Huda Oleru asked those blaming Ssegirinya’s death on his prolonged stay in prison to ‘shut up’, saying as Muslims, they believe that human beings only die when their time is ripe.
“That is it, unless you aren’t a Muslim, but if there are Muslims here, they support what I am saying and if you aren’t a Muslim, please keep quiet. Allow the Muslims to talk,” Oleru said.
Butambala County MP, Muwanga Kivumbi asked MPs to be more courageous enough and challenge President Museveni’s intimidation of the Judiciary.
“Let us speak truth to Museveni. Let us speak truth to the powers that be, that what is given in the Constitution can’t be taken away by a declaration. Uganda can’t return to the days of Idi Amin.”
In his New Year’s message, Museveni said suspects on capital offences and repeated offenders should be denied bail and bond, and any officers who go against his declaration would be held liable.
I know Huda Oleru personally , So I can say without any doubt that she is never going to be remembered for her intelligence . No wonder she works for Museveni .
Blantly saying that all muslims believes or support her silly interpretaion of Islam demonstrates her shollow-mindedness , to say the least. Many learned muslims believe that you just cannot ignore the sick or torture and let them die and then hand over your neglegence and responsiblity over to Allah .
Allah does not murder his creation .
Huda is right but still we can’t ignore the cause/ murderer, despite the fact that his time was over .
Huda is right about what ; maybe as right as the Headline above ?!
When 90% MPs who belong to the ruling party and 99.9 cabinet members shum the ceremony , how on earth can a trained journalist come out with such a misleading headline?
Even that horrible Prime Minister not only refused to attend , she showed total lack of protocal civility when she chose Katuntu to speak for the regime ; his job was to mention the money THEY have spent on the now dead MP. The 3rd vice PM comes late speaks for 5 minutes and leaves. Are these the sort of people who can unite on anything ?
But then , it must be remembered that the Speaker who sat in the chair when Ssegirinya`s body was rolled in , is on record for having declared the following :
“” MAKE SURE THOSE BAGANDA DO NOT GET THE NUMBERS””
Surely Huda Oleru life only gets ripe for living and attending to universal human rights. Uganda citizens do not ripe to die as it was when that Lugbara Moslem leader, Idi Amin was ripening many Ugandans to die as you yourself was being born and nurtured, December 1975 in Yumbe district, Arua. You are a woman much more than an African military fanatic holding AK47, ready to stop and destroy life. Females bare humanity and nurture (mellow or ripen) it to maturity and happiness!
Ssegirinya’s death unites MPs , but they can’t unite to impeache Museveni to give chance to formation of a real government, in a real country, with real MPs who work for those who elect them!
Without NO to the tribalistic systedm & UNITY, Ugandans should not go for next useless parliamentary election that will worsen the situation, but ensure Uganda remains Rwandese Museveni’s family property/bujsiness legally, constitutionally!
Kabayekka, thanks.
Unless Ugandans become ONE PEOPLE by saying NO to the tribalistic system & UNITING against Rwandese Museveni, they will comment, go for fake elections, fight one another, while he rules, owns Uganda tax money, controls every institution!
Idi Amin migrated from Sudan then formed by Sudan & South Sudan, looking for good life & got it & would have died in posts if not thrown out!
Rwandese Museveni is doing just what Sudanese Idi Amin did; make Uganda his dream land!
Ugandans MUST UNITE, NOW, if they want to become owners of the zone fromed by their tribal lands, then govern as they wish!
Ugandans MUST WAKE UP, NOW & UNITE, if they want Rwandese Museveni out & be FREE!
Kent Mawa, thanks.
Ugandans will only have chance to govern as they wish when they UNITE & block Rwandese Museveni who is going no where, unless Ugandans want him out!
Ugandans MUST realise the zone is formed by their tribal lands & only them, in UNITY, will have the power to stop Museveni, then govern as they wish – the tribalistic system, fake elections in the fake country only benefit Rwandese Museveni, while making powerless tribally divided ruled Ugandans more powerless, thus ensure Museveni is more powerful & ensure his ownership of the zone fromed by our tribal lands!