MP Ssegirinya: The man you couldn’t ignore in life, painful death

He was a fearless voice against injustice and a tireless advocate for the underprivileged.

His 36 years were marked by both challenges and triumphs. Ssegirinya began his path to prominence as a regular caller on radio shows, earning a reputation as an outspoken political commentator.

His consistent appearances, often marked by humour and bold criticisms of the powers that have earned him the moniker Eddoboozi lye Kyebando or the Voice of Kyebando, the place he called home.

From these modest beginnings, Ssegirinya cultivated a reputation for being a champion of the people, particularly those in his Kawempe North constituency.

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Despite his lack of formal political experience, Ssegirinya’s determination to represent the underprivileged propelled him to the political limelight.

His dream of becoming a Member of Parliament, which he frequently mentioned during his radio appearances, became a reality in 2021 when he won the Kawempe North parliamentary seat with a resounding 41,197 votes.

This triumph over seasoned politicians demonstrated his deep connection with the grassroots and the trust his community placed in him.

He was a familiar face at protests, often engaging in dramatic showdowns with the security forces.

But Ssegirinya’s life was also defined by his activism and philanthropy.

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago eulogised him as a “selfless servant who endured pain until his death. He worked for all. May God pay for his works.”

In 2015, Ssegirinya led a protest against the Uganda Communications Commission’s decision to migrate television from analog to digital, fearing the move would disenfranchise the poor.

His dramatic appearance with a domestic television set at Parliament highlighted his commitment to the
cause.

Philanthropy was also central to Ssegirinya’s mission. As an MP, he used his earnings to establish the Kawempe North Medical Centre, a health facility aimed at addressing the healthcare needs of his constituents.

The centre, equipped with fairly good equipment and staffed by dedicated medical professionals, became a beacon of hope for many.

Ssegirinya also acquired two ambulances to assist in emergency medical evacuations, reflecting his deep concern for the well-being of his electorate.

His generosity extended beyond healthcare. Through the Segibox initiative, Ssegirinya provided discharged patients from his centre with food and starter packages, including small financial assistance.

His actions earned him the admiration of many and cemented his status as a leader who genuinely cared for his people.

But Ssegirinya’s journey was not without challenges. His outspoken nature often exposed him as a target, not only from political opponents but also from within his own ranks.

In one interview with this reporter, Ssegirinya revealed that some Opposition colleagues viewed him as a threat due to his refusal to conform to the norm of personal enrichment at the expense of the people.

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Ssegirinya’s academic qualifications were another source of controversy. While he claimed to have completed his Advanced Level education at Pimbas Secondary School and pursued a diploma in journalism at Datamine Technical Business School, his assertions were contested.

The controversy sparked debates about the credential standards of political leadership with his political foe, Mr Suleiman Kidandala, at one moment attempting to log a case against him.

But whenever Mr Kidandala attempted to serve the summons, there were claims that Prisons officers shielded Ssegirinya who was then never served.

During his political adventures, Ssegirinya wore hats of at least three political parties, including the Social Democratic Party on whose ticket he contested the 2011 MP seat for Kawempe North, but lost.

By 2016, as a member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, Ssegirinya sought nomination to run as a councillor for City Hall, but his request was not approved. But opting to run independently, Ssegirinya emerged victorious.

Ssegirinya then attempted to become the speaker of Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) only to get one vote.

Mr Abubaker Kawalya, now the Rubaga North MP, took the day despite Ssegirinya delivering a standout speech during the campaigns.

But Ssegirinya remained focused, and it paid off when he later joined the new National Unity Platform (NUP) party, securing their ticket for the Kawempe North MP race and outsmarting seasoned opponents.

NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya described him as a “dedicated and loyal member of Parliament we shall all miss”.

Ssegirinya earned the nickname “Mr Update” for his frequent use of Facebook to share news updates and mobilise support for his initiatives.

He leveraged social media to connect with his constituents and provide timely assistance to those in need.

His visibility and responsiveness endeared him to many, solidifying his reputation as a servant of the people.

Ssegirinya’s commitment to community service was evident in his approach to politics.

Unlike many who view political office as an avenue for personal gain, Ssegirinya saw it as an opportunity to uplift the less fortunate.

He provided free medicine, medical equipment, and financial assistance to his constituents, underscoring his dedication to public service.

Ssegirinya’s life serves as a testament to the power of determination and a commitment to serving others. He connected well with the ordinary people due to his dramatic activism and philanthropy, cementing his reputation as a unique figure in Ugandan politics.

Painful end
But Ssegirinya, a man packed with life and activism, died with pain. From what he repeatedly called trumped up charges of terrorism, murder, incitement to violence, among others that saw him detained for nearly a year, Ssegirinya suffered a painful disease - hepatic cholangiopathy and cryptococcal meningitis, conditions arising from lung-to-brain infection.

To relive his ailment, Ssegirinya attended various medical facilities including Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya to Netherlands and in Uganda.

Many reckon that had the courts of law been lenient and granted him bail, Ssegirinya would have quickly sought the required medicare.

In one incident, when he could not bear his pain in silence, Ssegirinya displayed his rotting body on camera during an e-court session, but his pleas were never listened to.

His lawyer, Erias Lukwago, on many occasions told the court that his client was dying from prison but the courts paid no heed.

In October 2021, Justice Lawrence Tweyanze refused to grant the MPs bail, saying the chances of him and co-accused Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana absconding from court were high and that they failed to prove that they were sick and needed better medical attention outside prison.

The judge also said he feared MPs Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana would interfere with the criminal proceedings against them, yet earlier Justice Nakintu had granted them bail before they were rearrested.

Speaking between sobs yesterday, Mr Ssewanyana remembered his colleague and the “suffering we underwent during incarceration. We suffered a lot but Ssegirinya would always have
his constituents at heart.”

Ssegirinya suffered witch-hunting, according to his aide, Alex Luswa Luwemba, who accused rivals of influencing Ssegirinya’s landlord to inflate rent fees for his constituency office on Gayaza Road.

Ssegirinya was evicted from the office just two days before his death. Unlike most peers, Ssegirinya did not enjoy his tenure as MP as he was arrested only a few months after being elected.

At one moment, with illness heavily weighing him down, Ssegirinya regretted becoming an MP and threatened to quit politics altogether.

Stella Nyanzi, a prominent Ugandan political dissident and activist, while eulogising Ssegirinya, accused the government of complicity in his death.

“His health deteriorated when he was battling trumped up charges of the Masaka massacres for which he was imprisoned for two years,”Ms Nyanzi wrote.

Ssegirinya, a man who dared to dream, fought tirelessly for the underprivileged, and left an indelible mark on the lives of many.

He leaves behind a legacy of leadership rooted in compassion, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the people, a challenge to the man or woman who will walk in his political shoes.

Rest in Peace, Mr Update.