The Masaka Grade One Magistrate Christine Nantege has heard that the State has failed to locate key suspect in the murders that occurred in the Masaka sub-region Tony Ssenyonga from Kitalya Prison, where he was remanded.
At least 15 suspects including two legislators Allan Ssewanyana and Muhammad Ssegirinya for Makindye West and Kawempe North respectively, were arrested in relation to the killing of 26 people in the districts of Lwengo and Masaka.
The other suspects are; Benard Musumba, Faisal Kabuye, Paul Ssekajigo, Frank Tamale, Badru Kirega, Mike Sserwadda among others who are waiting to be committed to High Court to face trial.
However, during the court sitting on Wednesday, the Masaka Resident State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka told the court that the prime suspect has gone missing from jail.
He added that they are struggling to compile the evidence to support the trial.
Ssenyonga who is one of the suspects confessed to the killings and offered to reveal all his accomplices. Birivumbuka, the State had preferred to make amendments in charge sheets of other suspects, and present Ssenyonga as a key witness but they are not in a position to locate his whereabouts.
One of the suspects Bernard Musumba who is also on remand in Kitalya Prison has pleaded with the court to release them on mandatory bail, arguing that they exhausted the six-month period within which investigations can be done.
Nantege gave the state up to April 6 to produce Ssenyonga or else grant the suspects mandatory bail.
When asked, Frank Baine the Spokesperson of the Uganda Prison Serves said they were not aware of the alleged missing of the suspect.
