In the streets of Kawempe North, where every voice tells a story and every handshake seals a bond, a new chapter is unfolding in the constituency’s political narrative.
The untimely death of MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, a man revered for his simplicity and unwavering connection to the common man, left a void that many believed would be hard to fill.
However, as the saying goes, “A fruit does not fall far from the tree,” Alex Luswa Luwemba, the late lawmaker’s confidant and longtime personal assistant, has emerged as the beacon of hope.
Endorsed by Ssegirinya’s family and trusted by the people, Luwemba is not only stepping forward but also carrying the weight of a legacy shaped by humility, resilience, and a tireless fight for the ordinary citizen.
Speaking on NBS TV on Tuesday, Luwemba expressed profound gratitude to the National Unity Platform (NUP) and its leader Robert Kyagulanyi for what he called a befitting send-off for Ssegirinya. “Ssegirinya received the kind of burial he would have wanted, a reflection of how he lived his life as a humble servant of the people,” Luwemba said. He added, “I believe wherever he is, he must be smiling, knowing that his comrades resisted any attempts to let his funeral be hijacked by those he never aligned with.”
It will also be remembered that during the funeral, Justine Nakajumba, Ssegirinya’s mother, publicly thanked the Nyendo Mukungwe MP for standing by her family through the late MP’s illness, his passing, and the funeral. Her gratitude highlighted the importance of solidarity in the face of such a loss.
Luwemba reminisced about his time working with the late MP, recalling an incident when they visited City Hall for Ssegirinya’s swearing-in after being elected as Lord Councilor. “I remember Mr. Frank Gashumba advising Ssegirinya to change his dressing and lifestyle to suit his new leadership role. But Ssegirinya, being the simple man he was, laughed it off, [I would rather dress like my people than stand apart from them]. That was who he was, a man of the people,” Luwemba shared.
The close ally also revealed how Ssegirinya’s family had initially prepared for his funeral to take place at their ancestral home. “They even cleared a banana plantation to create space for mourners,” Luwemba disclosed. “NUP’s decision to take charge of the arrangements was the right thing to do because Ssegirinya belonged to the party, heart and soul. He was our Number One Footsoldier, and NUP gave him the send-off he deserved.”
As Kawempe North prepares for a by-election, the Muslim-majority constituency has rallied behind Luwemba.
Addressing questions about his readiness to lead, especially in a community where Ssegirinya converted to Islam to win support, Luwemba confirmed that he had also embraced the faith. “Converting to Islam doesn’t take anything away from me. It’s about understanding and respecting the people I wish to serve,” he explained.
Shortly after, BBS TV confirmed that Luwemba had officially converted, adopting the name Muhammad in line with his commitment to follow in Ssegirinya’s footsteps.
Reflecting on the funeral chaos, Luwemba attributed the incidents to political wrangling. “When a tree falls, everyone rushes to gather firewood.
But let’s not forget, NUP and Bobi Wine were the rightful people to lead this farewell because Ssegirinya was their comrade to the very end.” Luwemba also referenced the dispute over the funeral location, noting that Mpuuga’s camp had pushed to hold the ceremony at a playground, a move that Bobi Wine’s camp strongly opposed, ensuring Ssegirinya’s final resting place remained true to his legacy.
With a by-election looming, Luwemba stands as the leading contender to replace Ssegirinya, a man he not only served but deeply admired. “My promise to the people of Kawempe North is that I will continue Ssegirinya’s legacy of humility, service, and standing for the voiceless. Just like him, I am here to serve, not to rule,” he promised.
The people of Kawempe North, once united under Ssegirinya’s unwavering leadership, now look to Luwemba to carry the torch forward, a role he seems ready to embrace with dedication and humility.
