National Unity Platform (NUP), opposition Members of Parliament Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana have said there was not gentleman’s understanding between the government of President Museveni and the opposition regarding their release from prison.
After more than a month and a half ever since the duo were released from prison, this was their first media briefing to explain to the country the experience in prison and circumstances under which they were released from jail.
Speaking to the media at the party headquarters in Kampala, Ssegirinya, the member of Parliament for Makindye West refuted the media reports that there were any negotiations for their release.
“We heard that there were negotiations for our release. It was the first time I heard about that. I have the freedom to be free in my country. The people who were talking about the negotiations had selfish interests. Why would we negotiate?” he queried.
Ssewanyana wondered that if there were negotiations for their release from prison why would they pay Shs 20 million for bail. He said their passports were also withheld wondering what kind of negation would that be.
“It’s a fact that we were arrested and released, but many words have been said. It’s so sad that some leaders use such situations to spread propaganda,” he added, thanking the party and their lawyers’ efforts who he said toiled tirelessly to ensure that they get temporary freedom.
Ssegirinya, the member of Parliament for Kawempe North also stressed that there was no negotiation with the government regarding their release from jail.
“We were released because of the constant pressure that came from our people, the media, and the international community,” he said.
Following their release, there was talk in the media and elsewhere that there was a gentleman’s understanding between the government of President Museveni and the opposition led by its leader in Parliament Mathias Mpuuga to have the two MPs freed.
Mpuuga has since vehemently denied that there were any such negotiations, at least involving him. He has vowed to resign his position as Leader of Opposition if anyone brings any evidence that he was involved in any such talks.
The duo who had been in prison since September 2021 were on February 13, 2023 released on bail by the High Court in Masaka District after spending 524 days in jail, an equivalent of 17 months.
The MPs, who are accused of being behind the wave of machete killings of at least 26 people in greater Masaka in mid-2021, were each released on a cash bail of Shs20m.