NUP’s Ssewanyana, Ssegirinya Deny Bail Negotiations with Government.

Bailed National Unity Platform-NUP legislators Allan Ssewanyana and Muhammad Ssegirinya, both stated on Wednesday that their release on February 13 was not influenced by any talks or agreements with the government.

There were allegations that the sudden release of the two government critics, who are known for their outspokenness, was a result of complicated discussions between prominent opposition leaders and the government, with the release being offered as a concession.

At a press conference held at the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party headquarters on Wednesday, Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya dismissed those who had spread the speculation about negotiations leading to their release as "propagandists." The lawmakers also addressed concerns about their low profile since their release.

“There was no negotiation. It was the law that worked for us as well as the pressure from journalists, religious, cultural leaders and our party leaders,” the pair jointly asserted.

“I don’t think we needed the negotiations because we had our lawyers headed by Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago whose way of doing things shows he cannot go through corners,” Ssewanyana emphasized.

The two MPs, who had been imprisoned for 17 months, expressed their determination to carry on with their activism, despite their current health issues. “We have been there for you, we have suffered and our backs are not broken,” Ssewanyana said.