The International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala has officially withdrawn murder and terrorism charges against the late Kawempe North MP, Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Following his passing on January 9, 2025, defense lawyer Mr. Samuel Mulindwa Muyiizi petitioned the court to amend the indictment, citing the principle that criminal proceedings against a deceased individual abate automatically.
“We appreciate the patience of the court during the times when our client was ill and the support extended, including prayers at the commencement of proceedings. Our client passed away on January 9, 2025, and was laid to rest on January 11. In light of his demise, I apply to have the indictment amended to reflect that the charges against him no longer stand,” Mr. Muyiizi submitted to the court.
Presiding Judge Alice Komuhangi Kaukha extended condolences to the family and friends of the late Ssegirinya, acknowledging his passing and granting the request to amend the indictment accordingly.
The prosecution, led by Mr. Richard Birivumbuka, confirmed that Ssegirinya’s charges had abated and sought additional time to reorganize evidence and amend the indictment for the remaining accused persons.
Justice Kaukha granted the prosecution two weeks to complete this process, setting April 1, 2025, as the deadline for serving the remaining disclosures.
The case was adjourned to April 7 and 8 for conferencing and reading of the amended charges.
Ssegirinya’s co-accused, Makindye West MP Mr. Allan Ssewanyana, who remains on bail, will now face trial alongside four others—Mike Sserwadda, Jude Muwonge, Bulo Wamala, John Mugera, and Jackson Kanyike—on charges of murder, attempted murder, terrorism, and aiding and abetting terrorism.
Ssegirinya was elected to Parliament in 2021 but was arrested a year later in connection with the Masaka Sub-region killings, which left 26 people dead between March and June 2021.
He spent over 500 days on remand before being released on bail, only to be re-arrested on fresh murder charges.
His health deteriorated following his release, leading to multiple hospitalizations in Uganda, Kenya, and the Netherlands before he ultimately succumbed at Lubaga Hospital.
Following his passing, a by-election was held on March 13, 2025, where Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola of the National Unity Platform (NUP) emerged victorious, replacing Ssegirinya.
However, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has since announced its intention to challenge the election results in court, citing alleged irregularities and incidents of brutality against journalists and opposition supporters during the polls.
With Ssegirinya’s charges now officially dropped, the legal battle continues for his former co-accused as the case proceeds before the International Crimes Division.
