Police in Masaka has preferred attempted murder charges against Theodore Ssekikubo he allegedly committed in 2010
Charges including attempted murder against the Lwemiyaga County legislator, Theodore Ssekikubo has been amended by the Masaka Sub Region Police.
Ssekikubo was to be charged with assault, inciting violence and malicious damage to property, but by Sunday evening the Southern Police spokesperson, Paul Kangave said Police had preferred the charge of attempted murder against the lawmaker.
It’s reported that Ssekikubo committed the offence way back in 2010 during the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries.
In the report, Ssekikubo reportedly shot Habibu Nsamba Kanyarutokye, a security operative, in the private parts during the hotly contested NRM primaries.
By then, Ssekikubo was contesting with Patrick Nkalubo.
Deo Musoke, Ssekikubo’s lawyer accused Police of preferring trumped-up charges against his client and detaining him beyond the stated 48 hours in Police cells.
Musoke yesterday on Sunday wondered why his client had not yet recorded a statement following his arrest.
This was during a time Ssekikubo’s fellow legislator, Hanifa Kawooya, Ssembabule District Woman legislator paid a visit to him at Masaka Central Police Station cells.
“We have learnt about the new charge with shock because attempted murder is a criminal offence and one could not participate in two elections that is 2011 and 2016 with such offences,” Musoke said.
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In Musoke’s statement, Police officers informed him that the complainant, in this case, is Denis Musinguzi, the Sembabule District Police Commander.
He said the officers told him that the case was then withdrawn after the complainant lacked enough evidence to pin Ssekikubo.
Just like Musoke, Kawooya wondered why Police had to wait until Ssekikubo was arrested following concern of illegal cattle quarantine imposed in the area.
“I am going to start from where Ssekikubo stopped. The people of Lyemiyaga should be informed about the issue of imposing an illegal quarantine in their area because it’s now an issue of national importance,” Kawooya said.
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Enoch Abaine, the Masaka Regional Police Commander speaking in a telephone interview on Sunday said Ssekikubo will be prosecuted in court today Monday 13th, January 2020 to face the fresh charges slapped on him.
“I am told that tomorrow (Monday) he will be taken to court and all details will be unveiled from there,” Abaine said.
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On Friday morning 10th, January 2020, Ssekikubo was arrested amidst a scuffle between Police and herdsmen who attempted to force their way into Lwemiyaga cattle market and sell their animals.
The scuffle followed a week after Police closed the market due to a reported outbreak of cattle mouth and foot disease that struck the area.
But Ssekikubo and other herdsmen claimed that the quarantine placed on Lwemiyaga county was wrong because the area is free from foot and mouth disease.
They as well said some areas of the District that are under quarantine have been allowed to continue selling their animal products like milk and ghee which is discriminatory.
