MP Ssegirinya passes away, leaving a legacy of courage and determination

 
By Ahmed Sultan Buyungo
 
At 12:10 pm yesterday, Kawempe North MP, Muhammad Ssegirinya, was pronounced dead at Lubaga Hospital near Kampala. The 37-year-old fallen legislator had spent some time at the hospital under the care of specialists.
Bornn in 1988 at Butale—Kaddugala in Masaka City’s Nyendo—Mukungwe division, Muhammad Ssegirinya’s early years were characterized by the stark realities of poverty. 
Growing up in a family with limited resources, his father was a peasant, and his life story was one of hardship. Yet, from this adversity, a fierce determination to rise above the circumstances emerged. While still young, Ssegirinya took up small jobs, including selling sugarcane from his father’s farm, as a means to support his family and to build his own future.
Educated at Kadugala Primary School, Ssegirinya would later attend both Kaddugala Secondary School and Pimbas Secondary School in Kyebando, where he completed his secondary education. Ssegirinya also obtained a certificate in Urban Food Experience from the Netherlands, which was the minimum qualification required for parliamentary service.
His journey into politics can be traced from the early 2000s when he established contact with former Kawempe South MP, Mubarak Munyagwa. The two became so close that Ssegirinya did not stop at admiring Munyagwa’s political activism but went as far as reverting to Islam.
After taking his Shahada, Ssegirinya dropped his childhood name, Richard, and adopted the name Muhammad, marking a significant turn in his life.

Ssegirinya’s entry into the political sphere was not through the conventional channels of academic excellence or seasoned political manoeuvring. Rather, he emerged as a passionate voice for the voiceless, a social media sensation, and a popular figure on local radio stations. His alias “Mr. Update” became synonymous with bold, fearless political commentary and criticism of the government. He was often heard on radio talk shows, where he referred to himself as “Ssegirinya eddoboozi lye Kyebando,” a phrase that captured the essence of his connection to the grassroots, particularly the youth.
This rise to fame eventually led him to serve as a councillor for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), representing Kawempe North from 2016 to 2021. His tenure as a councillor earned him recognition for his vocal support of the downtrodden and his unflinching stance against corruption within the city.
In 2021, after his prior attempts at contesting the parliamentary seat in 2011 and 2016 had been unsuccessful, Ssegirinya triumphed in his quest to represent Kawempe North in Parliament.
But this rise to political prominence was not without its challenges. His outspoken nature and affiliation with NUP put him at odds with the ruling government. The tension between the opposition and the government reached its peak in 2021 when Ssegirinya, along with fellow NUP MP Allan Ssewanyana, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder related to the infamous machete killings in Greater Masaka.
Health struggles and political resolve
Ssegirinya’s health became a major concern following his release from prison. Doctors discovered that he was suffering from a combination of serious conditions, including skin cancer, lung infections, and liver complications. His medical journey took him to the Netherlands, where he sought specialized treatment at Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra. There, he learned that he was fortunate to be alive and that, had he delayed seeking treatment, he would not have survived for much longer.
A few months after his return from the Netherlands, his condition deteriorated, and he was taken to Nairobi’s Aga Khan Hospital, where he spent nearly six months under hospitalization.
Despite his health struggles, he remained vocal on social media and continued to mobilize support for his reelection bid.
Despite the controversies and challenges that marred his career, Ssegirinya’s impact cannot be overlooked. He was a man who fought for the common person, who used his voice to challenge the status quo, and who never wavered in his commitment to the values of justice and equality.
Joel Ssenyonyi, the leader of the opposition in parliament, eulogized the fallen legislator as a practical politician who will be dearly missed by the country.
“He was the kind of person who would get down to his people and connect with them in a very practical sense. That was him. So, it’s a sad day,” he added.
To fellow legislators, Ssegirinya was a model politician.
“He was a pragmatic politician who championed the needs of the common man, urging fellow legislators to do the same,” Kazibwe Bashir, MP Kawempe South, said, adding, “In just six months, he achieved a remarkable legacy, lobbying for a health centre, supporting expectant mothers to reduce maternal mortality, promoting a savings culture, and planning a school for underprivileged children. His dedication and vision will be deeply missed.”
“He was a courageous individual who rose through the leadership ranks by Allah’s grace. Unfortunately, his life has been cut short during his first term in Parliament,” Abubakar Kawalya, the Rubaga North MP, noted.