Ugandan MPs accused of masterminding murders

Ugandan Police has accused two opposition MPs of masterminding a wave of recent killings in the central region of greater Masaka.

Allan Ssewanyana and Muhammad Ssegirinya of the National Unity Platform (NUP) have been charged with murder and attempted murder.

But their party’s Vice-President, Mathias Mpuuga, said the charges were merely an attempt to alienate the party from its grassroots support.

About 26 people have been murdered by machete-wielding assailants in recent weeks in the region, some hacked to death in own their homes.

Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga told the media on Monday that ”the two politicians were the masterminds and had held meetings near Kampala to plan the attacks.”

However they have not yet been tried, and would be remanded to prison until 15 September.

Twelve other suspects have already been arrested and charged.

This is the third time in recent years that the Masaka region has experienced a spate of murders.

BBC/Mercy Chukwudiebere