Kawempe North Member of Parliament Muhammad Ssegirinya swearing-in at Parliament in Kampala on May
20, 2021. He passed away on January 9, 2025. PHOTO/DAVID LUBOWA
Members of Parliament yesterday eulogised Muhammad Ssegirinya, the Kawempe North legislator, who died yesterday, as a servant leader who used to bring joy and laughter to the chambers.
Ssegirinya died at Lubaga Hospital where he was recently admitted while in a critical condition following his return from Nairobi, Kenya, where he was discharged in June last year after undergoing treatment.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who officially broke the news of Ssegirinya’s death to legislators, said a special sitting would be convened at the August House today at 9am to pay tribute to Ssegirinya.
The news of his death was first broken yesterday morning by family members and National Unity Platform (NUP) party leader Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, but doctors at Lubaga Hospital later refuted it saying he was not dead yet.
However, in a twist of events, the hospital released a statement at 12pm confirming his demise.
Sources attributed his death to multiple organ failure. The exact cause of Ssegirinya’s death was not disclosed and no explanation has been made public.
“Hon Ssegirinya has been under the dedicated care of our medical team at Lubaga Hospital. Despite all efforts to ensure his recovery, he passed away today, Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 12:10 pm,” the statement by the hospital management read in part.
It added: “On behalf of the hospital, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Parliament of Uganda, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Members of Parliament, his family, and the people of Kawempe North, whom he represented with passion and commitment.”
Prison , charges
Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana with whom the deceased spent more than 500 days in Luzira Prison over charges of alleged involvement in the Masaka killings, could not hold back his tears.
“You wouldn’t have died at this time because we had a lot to tell Ugandans. We suffered together but, unfortunately, God did not give you a chance to live longer. I had hoped that you would get back on your feet, which has not been possible,” the legislator said.
The deceased MP was in March 2021 along with Mr Ssewanyana arrested at Masaka Police Station where they had been summoned to report over their alleged involvement in orchestrating the machete attacks in central Buganda.
The duo was released on bail from Luzira Maximum Prison, but Ssegirinya’s health started deteriorating.
He was later flown to the Netherlands where he underwent specialised training before returning to Uganda. He was again taken to Aga Khan Hospital in Kenya where he spent six months before being brought back in June last year.
Speaker Among yesterday said: “I now have the official statement from the hospital, so it is confirmed, we have lost one of our own and as Parliament, and we shall be communicating on the next plans.”
She had earlier posted on her X-platform that, “…From Allah we come, and to Him we return. I have instructed the Clerk of Parliament to coordinate with the family regarding the necessary arrangements….”
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa “I join the Rt Hon Speaker and honourable colleagues in mourning our colleague Hon Ssegirinya. It is always tough and heartbreaking when we lose one of our own. Hon Ssegirinya used to bring joy and laughter to the chambers and corridors of Parliament with his charisma and wit. His absence will be deeply felt. My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family, especially his mother, Ms Justine Nakajumba, and brother, Kasagga, who took tremendous care of him while in the hospital, and the community of Kawempe North who stood by him all through,” he said.
Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi “He was a practical leader. Sometimes we imagine that the leadership is about speaking too much English and wearing suits and so on but that was not Ssegirinya. He would go on the ground and connect with the people and that is the kind of leader he was.”
Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake “His legacy will never be forgotten [because] he has touched the lives of many, and his work will continue to inspire future generations. We will always remember for his dedication and passion for serving the people.”
Kalungu East Count y MP Francis Katabaazi blamed the deceased’s death on the government, saying they denied him bail to seek treatment at a critical moment. “I stood surety for him in Masaka, but they brutally rearrested him that very day. I want to tell all those in uniforms that today you may have power but remember tomorrow it will not be there, so be humble and treat people with dignity. Stop making laws which only target Opposition,” he said.
Nakaseke South MP Paul Lutamaguzi “We pray that God gives him a peaceful rest, I request his family to keep stong. We started some TV programmes together with him when I was still a student at Makerere [University].”
