Makindye West Member of Parliament, Aloysius Allan Ssewanyana, has once again been charged with terrorism, according to a revised indictment filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo.
Ssewanyana appeared on Monday before Judge Alice Komuhangi Khauka of the International Crimes Division (ICD), alongside co-accused Mike Sserwadda, Jackson Kanyike, Bull Wamala, and John Mugerwa.
Notably, the updated charge sheet has removed the late Kawempe North MP, Muhammad Ssegirinya, from the list of suspects.
The charges stem from the 2021 machete attacks—locally referred to as the “bijambiya” killings which claimed the lives of more than 30 people and injured many others in central Uganda.
The State continues to pursue terrorism as the primary charge, while also proposing murder, attempted murder, and aiding and abetting terrorism as alternative charges.
According to the prosecution, the accused either carried out or facilitated a series of attacks in the Kampala, Rakai, and Masaka districts between January and August 2021. Victims named in the indictment include Kizza Mugerwa, Sulaiman Kakooza, and Tadeo Kiyimba, all of whom were killed, and Ronald Sebyoto, who survived an attempted murder, all from Ssettaala village.
In a separate charge, Ssewanyana is accused of financing terrorism, allegedly providing funds with knowledge they would be used to support terrorist acts.
Judge Komuhangi ruled that the suspects will not enter pleas until the court reviews the prosecution’s evidence which includes autopsy reports, crime scene records, and witness statements to decide whether the case should proceed to full trial before a panel of three justices.
Currently, Ssewanyana is out on bail, while the other four accused remain in custody at Luzira Prison. The court has directed both prosecution and defence teams to submit written arguments within two months. A decision on whether the case will advance to trial is expected on August 26, 2025.
The accused are being represented by lawyers Henry Kunya, Crysostom Katumba, and Nicholas Ssenkumi. Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka is representing the DPP’s office.
