Defense lawyer Shamim Malende on 10th November told court that she is under pressure to abandon a case in which she represents two opposition lawmakers, Allan Ssewanyana and Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Appearing before Masaka grade one magistrate Grace Wakoli, during the further mentioning of a multiplicity of charges against the pair, Ms Malende said she ‘‘is receiving messages from unknown people pressurizing and ordering her to drop her representation in the matter.’’
“I have opened a case at Nansana police station, under Ref SD 60/26/10/2021 but I want it to be on court record that my life is under threat because of the unknown people trailing me on motorcycles and those that send me text messages and calls even through my relatives warning me to abandon the case,’’ she said.
Ms Malende also emphasized that her clients, Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana, urgently need to access medical attention from specialized doctors since Kigo and Kitalya prison authorities failed to give them the necessary treatment for their ailments.
“Hon Ssegirinya can’t be in court and we are aware he is in a dying state at Mulago Hospital where it’s a matter of trial and error to save him from the serious illness,” she noted
not the first time
It should be of grave concern that this isn’t the first time Ms Malende has been the target of intimidation.
On 21st October she was attacked by three unidentified men who deflated her car tyres along Alex Ssebowa road in Masaka City on her way to Masaka High Court for the hearing of the Ssewanyna and Ssegirinya case.
The men had tried to get into the car as she stopped due to the heavy rain, and when they failed they punctured the tyres, apparently to prevent her from reaching the courthouse on time.
Its too bad that most high ranking opposition figures are under threats by government operatives.