Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana cases not heard over new judge delayed appointment

By Elizabeth Ankunda

1^st Sept 2022

A pre -trial session to hear preliminary evidence in the murder and terrorism cases against the Kawempe North Member of Parliament Muhammad Ssegirinya and his Makindye West Counterpart Allan Ssewanyana has stalled following the recent transfer of trial judge Elizabeth Jane Alidvza to the Land division of the High court.

The case was to come up on Thursday before the International Crimes division of the High court for prosecution to disclose more evidence but it could not proceed in the absence of a new judge.

The suspects’ lawyers and the State Prosecutor Richard Birivumbuka have met with the Deputy Registrar Beatrice Atingu who has formally adjourned the hearing of the case until when a new Judge will be allocated.

Justice Alividza and other 18 High Court judges were transferred to new duty stations by the principal judge on August 15, 2022.

It should however be noted that  before her transfer from the International Crimes Court, Justice Alivdza had indicated to conclude the  pre-trial hearing sessions within 30 days and determine whether prosecution has sufficient evidence to sustain the charges .

Now Registrar Atingu has ordered the parties to return back to court on September 20th, 2022 to check if a new judge is allocated by then.

Legislators, Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana have been in prison for now a year on charges of murder, terrorism and attempted murder relating to the wave of Machete murders that hit the Greater Masaka region last year.

The MPs who are charged alongside other 4 people have since maintained their innocence.

However, the move to transfer Judge Alidvza has not gone well with the defense team which has interpreted the same as a delaying tactic to continue violating the rights of their jailed clients.