Kawempe North MP Mohammed Ssegirinya in court in 2021. PHOTO/FILE
Six months after being elected as Kawempe North Member of Parliament, Muhammad Ssegirinya revealed that he had fulfilled all the pledges he made to the electorate during the 2021 polls.
In that period, the legislator had constructed Kawempe North Medical Centre, purchased an ambulance, and started a saving initiative for his electorates dubbed Segbox.
Had also opened the Ssegirinya Muhammad Foundation that helps needy children, a school bursary scheme, a welding and bricklaying project, and Kawempe Youth Boda Boda Network.
Mr Bukenya Bonny, the lord councillor for Kawempe North III, yesterday said the deceased legislator fulfilled most of his manifesto pledges.
Ssegirinya, he said for example constructed the medical centre that gave free medical services to people during the first two months of his tenure in Parliament.
Two weeks later, he said the MP introduced the Segbox project, which enabled people to save money.
“He told me that he wanted to make Kawempe shine like London, he called me saying ‘I am going to open a hospital, buy an ambulance, start as saving groups, and the bona boda-boda development group’. I did not understand where he got the courage,’’ Bukenya said.
The legislator, who has spent the biggest part of his term on a sick bed following his arrest over alleged involvement in the Masaka killings, was yesterday pronounced dead by the management of Lubaga Hospital where he has been receiving treatment.
Bukenya said Ssegirinya’s projects stalled slowly following his detention .
Current status
But by the time of his death, the headquarters of the projects located in Kyebando, opposite Akamwesi Shopping Mall, five metres off Gayaza Road, is now housing a guest house and a massage parlour.
“They lacked money [for operations]. I found when the place was empty, that is why I had to establish my lodge,” the guest house owner, who requested not to be named, said.
He added: “Ssegirinya used to lobby money majorly online for the projects. When he was arrested, there was no money to fund his activities.”
A survey conducted by this publication yesterday revealed that all the projects that had been started by Ssegirinya had stalled except an ambulance.
Unlike when the legislator could provide fuel for the ambulance, patients now pay for the fuel before being transported to hospitals.
“He was having many partnerships that funded his projects. Kampala Capital City Authority also wanted to give him support, but when he was arrested everything remained at a standstill,’’ Mr Bukenya said, adding that the deceased also wanted to construct a modernised technical institute to offer free technical skills to the youth.
“He also wanted to host a boxing tournament every year,” Mr Bukenya said.
Residents' grief
Ms Nabatanzi Aisha, one of the beneficiaries of the Segboxes and a resident of Kawempe North, said they have lost a great leader who helped marginalised women, children and boda boda riders.
“My friend was pregnant and when he went to his hospital, they took care of her well. She was given a bed, Shs50,000 to start her life, and free transport from hospital,” she said.
Mr Ronald Kigozi, a barber at a saloon opposite Akamwezi Shopping Mall, who used to shave the deceased’s hair, expressed his grief.
“His initiative of Segbox enabled many boda boda people to save money and reduce domestic violence in homes. He also motivated many youth to be hardworking,” he said.
