Police in Masaka Sub Region have amended the charge sheet for Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo and preferred a fresh charge of attempted murder against him.
The charge had been earlier withdrawn after the complainant, Sembabule District police commander Mr Denis Musinguzi, lacked enough evidence to implicate Mr Ssekikubo.
The legislator was arrested on Friday for allegedly defying a quarantine order following reported outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the area.
According to Paul Kanagave, the southern regional police spokesperson, upon arrest Ssekikubo was to be charged with assault, inciting violence and malicious damage to property.
However, on Sunday evening police preferred the charge of attempted murder against the MP, an offence reportedly committed during the ruling NRM party primaries in 2010, according to Daily Monitor.
Mr Ssekikubo reportedly shot Habibu Nsamba Kanyarutokye, a security operative, in the private parts during the hotly contested party primaries where Ssekikubo was contesting with Patrick Nkalubo.
The MP’s lawyer, Mr Deo Musoke accused police of preferring trumped up charges against his client and keeping him in cells beyond the recommended 48 hours.
Mr Musoke wondered why Mr Ssekikubo had not recorded a statement until Sunday evening when his fellow lawmaker Hanifa Kawooya (Woman MP Sembabule District ) visited him at Masaka Central Police Station cells.
“We have learnt about the new charge with shock because attempted murder is criminal offence and one could not participate in two elections that is 2011 and 2016 with such offences,” he said.
Mr Musoke said police officers had informed them that the complainant in the matter is Sembabule District police commander Mr Denis Musinguzi.
