The Ugandan government has officially dropped murder and terrorism charges against the late Kawempe North Member of Parliament, Muhammad Ssegirinya, following his death on January 8, 2025.
In legal proceedings, charges against a deceased individual are typically dismissed, as the state cannot prosecute someone posthumously.
Ssegirinya, alongside Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana, had been accused of involvement in a series of killings in the Greater Masaka region in 2021. Both legislators were arrested in September 2021 and faced multiple charges, including murder and terrorism. They spent approximately 17 months on remand before being granted bail.
Following Ssegirinya’s death, the government directed the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to amend the indictment against MP Allan Ssewanyana and four other co-accused individuals. This amendment is a procedural step to reflect the current status of the accused parties in the ongoing case.
Samuel Muyizzi, the defense lawyer representing the late Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya and Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana, has been actively involved in addressing the legal proceedings against his clients. Following Ssegirinya’s death on January 9, 2025, Muyizzi confirmed the demise in court, leading to the termination of charges against the late MP. He argued that with Ssegirinya’s removal from the indictment, the legal basis of the case against Ssewanyana becomes questionable. Muyizzi emphasized that the charges were politically motivated, stating, “These charges were dead on arrival, they are dead now, and they will also die again in the future.”
In earlier proceedings, Muyizzi had highlighted Ssegirinya’s critical health condition, presenting medical reports indicating diagnoses of Hepatic Cholangiopathy and Cryptococcal Meningitis. He advocated for Ssegirinya’s transfer to specialized medical facilities abroad for appropriate treatment.
Additionally, Muyizzi has expressed concerns over the prolonged pretrial detentions and the state’s delay in disclosing evidence. He noted that despite claims of completed investigations, the defense had not been served with any evidence, raising questions about the prosecution’s preparedness and the legitimacy of the charges.
