MASAKA – Mr Theodore Ssekikubo, the Lwemiyaga County Member of Parliament in Sembabule District, has been granted bail.
Mr Ssekikubo was granted bail on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, by Masaka Magistrate’s Court after the State failed to adduce court records regarding his alleged skipping of bail in 2010.
He was arrested on Friday amid a scuffle between police and herdsmen who attempted to forcefully enter Lwemiyaga Cattle Market. Police had a week earlier closed the market following a reported outbreak of foot and mouth disease. But the legislator had opposed the move, saying there was no outbreak of the disease in the area and that it was the work of Security minister Elly Tumwine who wanted to take control of the cattle markets in the area.
Police officers had said on Friday that he would face charges of assault, inciting violence and malicious damage to property. But on Sunday, another charge of attempted murder was introduced.
When Mr Ssekikubo was arraigned before the Masaka Chief Magistrates Court, Mr Deogratius Ssejjemba, on Monday, six counts were read to him. These include among others; unlawful possession of firearms, engaging in acts calculated to cause death and inciting violence and causing physical injuries to voters. The offences were reportedly committed during the ruling NRM party primaries in 2010 when Mr Ssekikubo was contesting against Mr Patrick Nkalubo.
In an attempt to secure bail for Mr Ssekikubo, his lawyer, Mr Medard Lubega Sseggona presented sureties including; Ms Babirye Kabanda ( Masaka District Woman MP), Ms Hanifer Kawooya (Sembabule District Woman MP), Mr Barnabas Tinkasimire (MP Buyaga West), Ms Florence Namayanja (MP Bukoto East) and Mr Johnson Kamugisha, the Lwemiyaga Sub-county district councillor.
But Ms Akasa asked court not grant Ssekikubo bail saying he doesn’t respect court orders. The Chief Magistrate concurred with her, saying the accused jumped bail in 2010.
