Speaker offers to pay fees for Ssegirinya’s daughter
Muslim legislators pray for the body of the late Kawempe North Member of Parliament Muhammad Ssegirinya after a special sitting to pay tribute to him at Parliament on January 10, 2025. PHOTO/DAVID LUBOWA
What you need to know:
- Each MP to contribute Shs300,000 for family to set up business
The Speaker of Parliament Ms Anita Among has pledged to cover the tuition of one of the children of the late Kawempe North MP, Muhammad Ssegirinya who passed away on Thursday at Lubaga Hospital in Kampala.
The Bukedea Woman MP said during a special sitting that Parliament held Friday to pay tribute to the deceased MP that she would take Aliyah Nagirinya to her schools for both primary and secondary education.
The pledge came after Mr Bumali Mpindi, Member of Parliament representing persons with disabilities, rallied fellow legislators to each contribute at least Shs500,000 to mobilised funds that would support Ssegirinya’s family.
In an immediate reaction, Ms Among advised that the contribution be made at a personal level. She reasoned that a previous collective/binding contribution resolution that was passed to support the late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah’s family was met with backlash and direct attacks on her.
To this end, she pledged to take up Naggirinya.
"Let's contribute individually. For me, I can take up one kid and educate her in my school. After this, look for me and I will take up one kid. I will pay your fees and I will take you to my school," Ms Among said to Ssegirinya’s family members seated in the visitors’ gallery as the legislators eulogised him.
Minutes later, Butambala Woman MP, Ms Aisha Kabanda shot up and persuaded colleagues in attendance to contribute at least Shs300,000 which would be used to start up a business to support the family.
"I appreciate your concern and it is regrettable. Hon Ssegirinya has served here for four years. The late Hon Oulanyah had served here for several years and was entitled to other benefits as a deceased Speaker. Therefore, he had a package," Ms Kabanda said, adding that "Hon Ssegirinya has only been here for four years and didn't even have time to invest for his family. You can imagine the burden that the family is going to have."
She said if each MP were to contribute, the money would add up to Shs150 million which the family would use to start up a business.
Ms Kabanda’s proposal was supported by all MPs in the plenary, including the ruling party members.
