Masaka Massacre Case: Troubled MP Ssewanyana Faces ‘Fresh Terrorism Charges’ After Amended Charge Sheet

KAMPALA – Makindye West Member of Parliament Allan Ssewanyana has been charged with terrorism following an amended charge sheet presented by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The amended charge sheet notably removed the late Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya from the list of accused persons.

Ssewanyana was arraigned before Justice Alice Komuhangi Khauka of the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court in Kampala on Monday, alongside co-accused Mike Sserwadda, Jackson Kanyike, Bull Wamala, and John Mugerwa.

According to the revised indictment, Ssewanyana now faces a separate charge of aiding and abetting terrorism, in addition to the initial accusations of murder and attempted murder.

The prosecution alleges that between January and August 2021, in the districts of Kampala, Rakai, and Masaka, the accused, while allegedly armed and acting with the intent to intimidate a section of the public for political, social, or religious reasons, directly participated or was complicit in a wave of deadly attacks.

Specifically, the state contends that the accused were involved in the murder of Kizza Mugerwa, Sulaiman Kakooza, and Tadeo Kiyimba, all residents of Ssettaala village, and the attempted murder of Ronald Sebyoto, who survived the attacks.

Appearing before court, State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka urged the judge to convict the accused persons on charges of murder, attempted murder, and aiding and abetting terrorism, citing the gravity of the crimes and the terror they inflicted on the affected communities.

However, Justice Komuhangi cautioned that the court must first scrutinise the evidence presented by the prosecution before making a ruling.

She added that the decision on whether to confirm the new charges will be delivered in August after a thorough review of the prosecution’s submissions.

The revised charge sheet, notably excluding the late Ssegirinya, who passed away in March this year, has altered the political dynamic of the case, which has drawn widespread public and media attention since its inception.

In a dramatic turn, MP Ssewanyana recently accused fellow opposition legislator, Mathias Mpuuga, the MP for Nyendo-Mukungwe, of masterminding his arrest in the same case.

The accusation has stirred political tensions within the opposition ranks, especially among supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), under whose ticket both legislators were elected in 2021.

The case stems from a spate of machete killings in Greater Masaka in 2021 that claimed more than 20 lives and prompted a nationwide manhunt for the alleged perpetrators.

The accused remain on remand, as the case continues to unfold amid growing scrutiny from human rights defenders, opposition politicians, and international observers concerned about the fairness of the trial process and the state of political freedoms in Uganda.