NUP MPs Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana make first appearance in Parliament

National Unity Platform party lawmakers Allan Ssewanyana and Muhammad Ssegirinya yesterday made their maiden Plenary presence nearly 39 days after their release from prison. The appearance was their first in 2 years since they were elected to Parliament.

The duo appeared while limping to express the agony they are in, due to the ailments they are undergoing since their release. They were detained at Kigo prison for allegedly masterminding the killing of about 28 people in Masaka region in mid-2021.

They were however granted a UGX 20m cash bail for each of them in February at the Masaka High Court.

The MPs were shocked with the changes at parliament on their maiden arrival. The duo knelt at the entrance of the Assembly and prayer to God for granting them their temporary freedom.

They were then ushered to the office of the Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa who received them and held a 2 hour discussion with them. The engagement occured without media presence. From the Deputy Speaker’s chambers, they flanked the Plenary and followed the proceedings.

The opposition Chief Whip John Baptist Nambeshe prayed to the Deputy Speaker (Tayebwa) to grant the legislators a chance to address the House. However, this plea was denied with the Deputy Speaker saying they could not breach the Order Paper to accommodate for the lawmakers.

During the Plenary, the duo were whispering to each other before they disembarked from the proceedings. Hon. Ssewanyana was the first to walk out holding his chest, and Ssegirinya followed suit after whispering to the Deputy Speaker.

“Finally we are back. This is my first appearance ever since I was elected as MP Kawempe North Constituency, I even didn’t know where to sit. It was Hon. Allan Ssewanyana who showed me where to sit,” Ssegirinya remarked. “I was going to sit on the side of Ministers. But I thank God that I am back. It is time to represent my People in the Constituency,” he added.