The management of Rubaga Hospital has sadly confirmed the unexpected passing of Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya.
This was also confirmed by the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among through her X handle.
In a statement released by the hospital, it was reported that Ssegirinya died today, January 9, 2025, at approximately 12:10 pm.
“With profound sadness, Lubaga Hospital announces the loss of Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya. He had been receiving attentive care from our medical staff. Despite our best efforts to aid in his recovery, he passed away today, Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 12:10 pm,” the hospital’s statement conveyed.
The hospital also expressed its condolences to the Parliament of Uganda, including the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, fellow Members of Parliament, Ssegirinya’s family, and the residents of Kawempe North.
“Dear Countrymen and Countrywomen, It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing of our brother, Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya, who breathed his last at 12:10 PM. From Allah we come, and to Him we return. I have instructed the Clerk of Parliament to coordinate with the family regarding the necessary arrangements. The country will be updated on the funeral plans.Inna Lillahi Wa Inna ilayhi Raji’un!” the Speaker wrote on her X handle.
Known as Mr. Update on his official social media platforms, Ssegirinya who passed away at 37, had been fighting illness for nearly two years.
His passing has elicited an outpouring of condolences from numerous Ugandans, including fellow politicians, via their X accounts, formerly known as Twitter.
Robert Kyagulanyi, the president of the NUP, expressed his grief, stating, “Very sad news this morning. Our brother, our friend, our fellow leader Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya has passed on. Such a dark morning. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un!”
Mathias Mpuuga, MP for Nyendo-Mukungwe, shared, “Devastating news of the passing of our colleague, Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya, hitherto Member of Parliament for Kawempe North. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.”
Francis Zaake, MP for Mityana Municipality, remarked, “It’s heartbreaking to hear about the passing of Hon. Ssegirinya. Rest in peace. His legacy will never be forgotten. He has touched the lives of many, and his work will continue to inspire future generations. We will always remember his dedication and passion for serving the people.”
Joyce Namuli, MP for Entebbe Municipality, wrote, “Shocking to learn that Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya has passed on. Innah lilahi wa innah lilehi wa rajihun.”
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago noted: “Extremely devastated by the news of the passing on of comrade Ssegirinya Muhammad. Inna lillahi wa inna illaihi raji’oon”.
Who is Sserinya?
Ssegirinya, born in 1988 in Butale, Kadugala, Masaka District, Uganda, is the eldest of five siblings in a Catholic family.
During an appearance on NTV’s ‘Tuwaye’ show, he shared that his upbringing was marked by poverty, which led him to sell sugarcane from his father’s meager farm.
Originally named Richard Ssegirinya, he later converted to Islam and adopted the name Muhammad. On the local Bukedde TV program ‘Omuntu Wabantu,’ he mentioned that he completed his primary education at Kadugala Primary School, achieving aggregates 13.
For his secondary education, he attended both Kaddugala Secondary School and Pimba Secondary School in Kyebando.
Official documents submitted for his candidacy in the Kawempe North parliamentary seat reveal that he holds a certificate in Urban Food Experience from the Netherlands.
However, a report by The Observer highlighted that this qualification was considered one of the lowest among Uganda’s Members of Parliament, as it is equivalent to the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education, the minimum requirement for the position.
Ssegirinya gained fame through his frequent appearances on radio talk shows across various stations in Kampala, where he referred to himself as ‘ssegirinya eddoboozi lye kyebando.’
His popularity soared as he transitioned into a social media star known as ‘Mr. Update.’
From 2016 to 2021, he served as the lord councillor for Kampala, representing the residents of Kawempe.
He later achieved a significant victory in his bid to become the area MP, outpacing nine other candidates, including the then-incumbent Abdulatif Ssebagala Ssengendo and former Deputy Lord Mayor Sulaiman Kidandala.
In 2011, Ssegirinya ran for the Kawempe North Parliamentary seat but was unsuccessful. He tried again in the 2016 Forum for Democratic Change party primaries for the same position, only to face defeat once more.
However, he found success when he ran for a councillor position representing Kyebando-Kawempe at City Hall, securing a win.
In 2021, Ssegirinya stood for the Kawempe North Constituency as a candidate for the National Unity Platform (NUP) and emerged victorious. His win was contested in court by rival candidate Sulaiman Kidandala, but the court upheld Ssegirinya’s victory.
On September 3, 2021, he was called in by the Uganda Police Force for questioning regarding alleged involvement in rebel activities in the Greater Masaka region.
Just a few days later, on September 7, both Ssegirinya and Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana were remanded to Kitalya Maximum Security Prison, facing four charges (three for murder and one for attempted murder).
After being released on bail on February 13, 2023, Ssegirinya struggled with health issues, frequently visiting a hospital in Nairobi, which limited his attendance at parliamentary sessions till the time of his demise. Nevertheless, in August 2024, he announced his intention to run again for the parliamentary seat in the 2026 elections.
See you until tomorrow….
