Bobi Wine Speaks Out on Released Lawmakers, Denies Involvement in Reported Government Talks.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine has finally spoken out following the release of the two MPs; Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West) and Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North) from Prison.

The duo who are accused of being behind the spate of machete killings of at least 26 people in Greater Masaka in mid-2021 were granted a cash bail of Shs20m each on February 13, 2023 after being in jail since September 2021.

Following their release, several Ugandans, including fellow Members of Parliament and other politicians expressed their opinions in public.

However, Mr Kyagulanyi had not said anything until this afternoon (February 16, 2023) when he broke silence, saying he's yet to meet or speak to the two NUP members.

"I am very happy that after such a long period of detention without trial, the two leaders are out of Kigo Prison on bail. I am very grateful to all leaders, lawyers and comrades who for the past one and a half years, have visited them in prison, attended court sessions, spoken out against their illegal detention, supported their families, prayed for them," Bobi Wine said.

Bobi Wine also distanced himself from talk about reported negotiations between members of his party and government regarding the release of MPs; Allan Ssewanyana and Muhammad Ssegirinya.

In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Bobi Wine says while he has noted insinuations from different sources pointing to negotiations for the release of the two MPs, he knows none of such and has not blessed them.

https://twitter.com/nilepostnews/status/1626236308627787777

“I do not know about any such negotiations and if anyone took part in any negotiations to secure court bail for detainees, they did so without my knowledge and consent,” Bobi said.

“Our position remains that we shall not beg Gen Museveni and his criminal regime to grant us our God-given rights. The suggestion that one must negotiate with Museveni to get bail, which should entirely be a court process, is not only shameful but also ridiculous. Unfortunately, that is what our country has been reduced to; impunity, lawlessness and disregard for institutions normalised,” he added.

Bobi said they cannot involve in negotiations with President Museveni because there is nothing they have to offer him in exchange for “their rights”.

Read Bobi Wine's full statement below;

Greetings fellow Ugandans, 

I have seen some people asking for my comment on the release of our comrades, Hon. Allan Ssewanyana and Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya. 

1. I am very happy that after such a long period of detention without trial, the two leaders are out of Kigo Prison on bail. I am very grateful to all leaders, lawyers and comrades who for the past one and a half years, have visited them in prison, attended court sessions, spoken out against their illegal detention, supported their families, prayed for them, etc. 

Kawempe North MP Muhammed Ssegirinya and his Makindye West counterpart, Allan Ssewanya arrive at court ahead of hearing of their murder case recently. The two MPs were on February 13, 2023 granted bail after spending more than a year on remand. PHOTO/ FILE

2. We have not yet spoken about this comprehensively because we have not yet had the opportunity to see or speak with the two MPs. Ordinarily, when our comrades are freed from illegal detention, we speak with them and that enables us to understand better the circumstances of their abduction or arrest, what happened to them in detention, the circumstances of their release, as well as the general state of their health. For now, their families have told us that they are still undergoing treatment. We shall be in position to speak out better after interacting with them. 

3. I have noted the insinuations that the two MPs were released after negotiations with Gen. Museveni and that they made some compromises and undertakings. 

LET ME BE CATEGORICAL that I do not know about any such negotiations, and if anyone took part in any negotiations to secure COURT BAIL for detainees, they did so without my knowledge or endorsement. 

Our position remains that we must not beg Gen. Museveni and his criminal regime to grant us our GOD GIVEN rights. The suggestion that one needs to negotiate with Museveni to get bail, which should be entirely a court process, is not only shameful but ridiculous. Unfortunately, that is what our country has been reduced to! Impunity, lawlessness and disregard for institutions normalised. 

Secondly, negotiations involve give and take considerations. We have nothing to give to Museveni in exchange for our rights. The biggest thing Museveni would need in exchange is to stop fighting his regime of blood and shame and we are not about to stop doing that.

We hope that in the coming days, we shall be able to interact with the two MPs and guide the nation on the way forward.

FOR NOW the question the regime has failed to answer for all this time is, WHO KILLED THE PEOPLE OF MASAKA AND WHY