It is a sombre mood in Uganda, as citizens mourn the death of Kawempe North Member of Parliament, Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Ssegirinya passed on at Rubaga Hospital on Thursday morning.
Details about the death are still scanty.
Ssegirinya’s health deteriorated after release from prison in March 2023, having spent 15 months on remand over accusations that he had been involved, together with his Makindye West counterpart, Allan Ssewanyana of participating in machete attacks in Masaka.
On deterioration of his health, the legislator was flown to Germany and later the Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra Hospital in Netherlands for specialized treatment.
He would later be flown to Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi Kenya from where he was discharged last year but his condition had not stabilized.
Minister for Youth Affairs, Balaam Baruhagara described Ssegirinya’s death as a shock to the country.
He said his legacy will live on “through his tireless efforts to serve the underprivileged people in Kawempe since he was a district councilor representing Kyebando.”
Radio caller with sight on parliament
Many who spoke of Ssegirinya described him as being self-made, reminiscing the old days when Ssegirinya as a caller on radios made clear his ambition to represent his people of Kyebando.
Born 1988 in Butale, Kadugala, Masaka District, Uganda, into a Catholic family, Richard Ssegirinya would later convert to Islam and adopted the name Muhammad.
The now deceased MP’s political journey started around 2006 when he used to make phone calls to various radio shows declaring his intent to represent Kyebando.
He would go by the moniker, Ssegirinya Muhammad, eddoboozi ly’eKyebando loosely translated as Muhammad Ssegirinya, Kyebando’s voice.
This was his intro and outro, not only on radio political talk shows but on many other shows on radio where he would call in to contribute to the debate.
This way, the little known Ssegirinya made a name and became known in most circles, especially on radio political talk shows but also gained respect over the same.
In 2016, Ssegirinya stood for the position of councilor representing Kawempe Division at KCCA, and won the election.
This was his gateway to politics.
Having officially joined politics, Ssegirinya never allowed politics to leave him as he kept around politicians.
During the time Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was impeached from City Hall, Ssegirinya was among those who stood with him.
Even during the time, opposition strongman Dr. Kizza Besigye had his run-ins with security between 2016 and 2021, Ssegirinya was with him.
At press conferences or any addresses, Ssegirinya would strategically position himself behind either Lukwago or Besigye or any other opposition politician as they addressed the media.
This way, Ssegirinya became known for always being available for others in times of need.
People’s person
During his time, even before joining parliament, Ssegirinya presented himself as one who always stood for the people’s cause.
For example, as the country migrated from analogue to digital, Ssegirinya held a demonstration in Kampala against the same.
He said government has not managed the migration well, leaving out many people who he said couldn’t afford digital.
To show his discontent, the then councilor carried tvs that he sought to drop to the headquarters of the Ministry of ICT along Parliamentary Avenue and the office of the Prime Minister.
During the time when KCCA forced vendors off Kampala streets, Ssegirinya stood with them, he got a pant peg, socks , pens and hankies that he vended around the city centre.
Following his election to Parliament as the Kawempe North MP on the National Unity Platform, Ssegirinya said he couldn’t wait to step in Parliament to represent his people but also fulfill his dream.
During this time he launched the “SEG BOX” campaign, a savings initiative targeting low income earners in which he inculcated a culture of saving to uplift families in his constituency.
He also became a darling of many on social media where he earned the nickname “Mr. Update.”
However, he spent little time in Parliament and was arrested together with fellow MP, Allan Ssewanyana after being accused of participating in Masaka machete murders.
Whereas the duo was granted bail by court, they were re-arrested and charged afresh and they would spend over 15 months in prison.
Commenting about Ssegirinya’s death, Kawempe South MP, Bashir Kazibwe described his life as a testament to what a man can achieve without the help of anyone.
“ The country has lost a youth who was testament that one can move from trenches and become an important person in society. He begun as one who was fetching water for people in Kawempe but this didn’t stop him from aiming higher. He stood as Lord councilor but despite losing, he never gave up. He stood again and won. That was sign of faith and strong conviction that he had,” Kazibwe said.
“Ssegirinya is a good example to youths who might not be well off that everything is achievable. He used to tell us that while coming to Kampala, he jumped onto a matooke truck that dropped him at Busega and he would later settle in Kyebando.That is where he started his Kampala life up to Parliament.”
