The member of Parliament Kawempe North Muhammad Ssegirinya has been pronounced dead in an official statement by Lubaga Hospital on January 9, 2025.
Ssegirinya, who died at Lubaga Hospital where he had been undergoing treatment, was battling a prolonged illness leading up to his untimely death at the age of 37.
In reference to an official statement issued by the Lubaga health facility, Speaker Anita emotionally broke the news of Ssegirinya’s death during a plenary session.
“With deep sorrow, Rubaga Hospital announces the passing of Hon Muhammad Ssegirinya, the honorable member of Parliament for Kawempe North,” Among said.
“Despite all efforts to ensure his recovery, he passed away today at 12:10 PM,” she added.
Speaker Among had earlier on clarified during a parliamentary session that Ssegirinya’s organs had collapsed, but his heart was still functioning, making it unethical for doctors to declare him dead at the time.
Who was Hon Muhammad Ssegirinya?
Hon Ssegirinya Muhammad was known by his alias ‘Mr Update’ for his fond presence and interaction on radio talk shows discussing current issues in his area of jurisdiction.
Born in 1988 in Butale, Kadugala, Masaka District, Uganda, Ssegirinya grew up in a family of five siblings in a Catholic household before he converted to Islam and adopted the name ‘Muhammad.’
He attended Kadugala Primary School and completed his secondary education at Kaddugala Secondary School and Pimba Secondary School. He holds a certificate in Urban Food Experience from the Netherlands, which is considered the minimum educational qualification for parliamentary candidates in Uganda.
Ssegirinya’s political career gained public attention through radio talk shows where he often expressed his views on political issues. He served as a lord councillor for Kampala Capital City Authority from 2016 to 2021.
The 37-year-old first contested for the Kawempe North parliamentary seat in 2011 but was unsuccessful.
However, after losing again in the 2016 Forum for Democratic Change primaries, his undaunted zeal for politics won him the councillor position.
Luckily in 2021, he ran for the Kawempe North MP seat under the umbrella group National Unity Platform (NUP) party and emerged victorious against several contenders.
Ssegirinya faced multiple arrests due to his political activism, including charges related to alleged involvement in violent activities.
He spent over 17 months in prison starting from September 2021, during which his health deteriorated significantly.
After being released on bail in February 2023, he was diagnosed with serious health issues, including lung complications and skin cancer. He received treatment in various hospitals, including those in Nairobi and Amsterdam.
Ssegirinya’s health challenges continued to affect his ability to participate actively in parliamentary duties. Despite these struggles, he announced intentions to run for re-election in 2026.
His overly political ambitions and goals became short-lived after he succumbed to a prolonged illness.
The late Ssegirinya will be remembered for his resilience and dedication to his constituents. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a notable figure in Ugandan politics reflects both personal determination and the complexities of political life in Uganda.
