MP Ssewanyana, four others slapped with new charges

KAMPALA - Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana and four others have been newly charged with terrorism.

The legislator is charged alongside Mike Sserwadda, Wamala Bulo, John Mugera and Jackson Kanyike. The group also faces charges of aiding and abetting terrorism, murder, and attempted murder, all stemming from the 2021 machete killings in the Masaka region.

The offences of terrorism, murder, and aiding and abetting terrorism carry a maximum sentence of death upon conviction, while attempted murder is punishable by up to life imprisonment.

Prosecution alleges that between January and August 2021, Ssewanyana and others, still at large, operating in Kampala, financed and supported their co-accused to instigate acts of terrorism.

On May 12, 2025, High Court Judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha read the new charges to the accused but did not allow them to take a plea. The group will take a plea before a panel of judges once the hearing begins.

Previously, on April 7, 2025, the judge had ordered the prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, to amend the charge sheet within two weeks and disclose all relevant documents to Ssewanyana’s new lawyer, Paul Kiggundu.

The amendment followed the death of former Kawempe North legislator Muhammad Ssegirinya. His successor, Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, won the recent Kawempe North by-election.

Prosecution alleges that on August 23, 2021, the accused and others still at large, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the deaths of Ronald Ssebyooto, Francis Kiiza Mugerwa, Sulaiman Kakooza, and Tadeo Kiyimba at Ssettaala Village in Masaka District. (Credit: Sophia Kagoya)

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that on August 23, 2021, the accused and others still at large, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the deaths of Ronald Ssebyooto, Francis Kiiza Mugerwa, Sulaiman Kakooza, and Tadeo Kiyimba at Ssettaala Village in Masaka District.

“Between January and August 2021, the accused and others still at large, operating across Kampala, Rakai and Masaka districts, with intent to intimidate the public or a section of the public for political, religious, social, or economic reasons, indiscriminately committed or were complicit in the murder of the four individuals,” the charge sheet states.

According to the indictment seen by New Vision, one of the accused, Sserwadda, allegedly confessed to participating in the killings and claimed he was working with Wamala, Kanyike, Mugerwa, and MP Ssewanyana to “reclaim their presidential victory”.

The meetings, which were allegedly attended by the late Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana, were reportedly coordinated by Wamala and Diego Bukenya, who remains at large.
The indictment also claims that the accused targeted the Masaka region due to its media visibility.

Prosecution further alleges that the legislator provided their co-accused with cash ranging between sh50,000 and sh100,000 to execute the mission.