Kawempe North is presently without a Member of Parliament following the passing of Hon Muhammad Ssegirinya, who died on Thursday, January 9th, at Rubaga Hospital. He was a man involved in various initiatives that now remain unfinished in the constituency.
It should be emphasized that Ssegirinya’s death sent shockwaves through many, particularly among his party members from the National Unity Platform (NUP), his colleagues in Parliament, and especially the residents of his constituency. Tributes have been flowing in for the late Kawempe North representative.
People are recalling him not only as a politician but also as a hands-on leader who fulfilled many of the commitments he made to his community.
Emmanuel Isabirye, a Kawempe resident, stated, “Ssegirinya offered us numerous benefits, especially for the youth. He provided scholarships for students, delivered an ambulance, and established a health facility. He was not just talk; he was a man of action.”
Another local, Resty Nabakooza, tearfully reflected, “I remember Ssegirinya for his kindness. He consistently shared food with us, especially during COVID, providing us with plenty of matooke.”
Among his significant projects were the establishment of a medical center, the provision of an ambulance, the creation of a savings cooperative called SEG.BOX, and the launch of various educational scholarships aimed at assisting the youth in Kawempe.
Nevertheless, the repercussions of Ssegirinya’s prolonged imprisonment and subsequent health issues adversely affected his legacy. The initiatives he promoted have dwindled, and some of his fellow leaders explained why.
“Hon Ssegirinya was the top social media live streamer in Uganda. He raised funds through these live streams, which were crucial for managing those projects. However, when he was imprisoned, he lost access to his social media accounts, and all those projects relied on those streams,” said Bonny Bukenya, the Lord Councillor for Kawempe North.
The Kawempe North Medical Centre, a project led by the late Muhammad Ssegirinya, ceased operations due to the legislator’s legal and health challenges. The medical facilities were converted into a lodge.
Area residents remembered the hospital as a beacon of hope, providing essential healthcare services, including free maternal care that greatly benefited the community.
The MP will be interred at his ancestral home in Kadugala village, Masaka District, on Sunday, January 12th. His body will be brought to Parliament on Friday, January 10th, at 9 a.m., and then to Mbogo Mosque at 2 p.m. A night vigil will take place at his residence in Kasangati, after which the body will be taken to Masaka on Saturday, January 11th.
