Opposition Members of Parliament have expressed outrage over the Government side’s boycott of a special parliamentary sitting held to pay tribute to the late Kawempe North legislator, Muhammad Ssegirinya.
The motion to pay tribute to the fallen MP was initially scheduled to be read by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja who did not show up.
Instead, a senior legislator from Bugweri County, Abdu Katuntu was requested by the Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among to do the honours on behalf of the Government which sparked criticism and concern from several MPs such as Asuman Basalirwa of Bugiri Municipality and the Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi saying it was a deliberate attempt to disrespect the late Ssegirinya.
In response, the Speaker Among called for calm in the House, stating that Parliament had fulfilled its obligation of according the late a befitting sendoff.
Meanwhile, Kantutu proceeded with the tribute motion applauding Ssegirinya for being a dedicated, loving and passionate person to his constituents and society at large.
He said that the late Ssegirinya rose from a humble family to national leadership status and sacrificed a lot for his community especially by setting up a health center, supporting children to go to school, and women’s groups among others.
Similarly, the seconder of the motion, the Leader of Opposition Ssenyonyi challenged the Government to always respect the rule of law and human rights.
He said Ssegirinya’s death has been partly due to the Government’s disregard of constitutionalism and humanity where it denied him a chance to get bail to access specialized medication while he was still incarcerated on charges connected to the machete killings in the Masaka sub region in 2021.
Meanwhile, a special sitting of the Kawempe Division Council was also held on Friday afternoon at the Kawempe-Mbogo mosque to pay tribute to Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Ssegirinya served as the Lord Councillor for Kampala North at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Council from 2016 to 2021 before winning the election to become the area MP after defeating nine other contestants including then incumbent Abdulatif Ssebagala Ssengendo and former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Sulaiman Kidandala in the 2021 general elections.
The Mayor of Kawempe Division, Emmanuel Sserunjogi in his address described Ssegirinya as an exceptional leader who served his people to the end of his life. He was however quick to add that the political oppression he underwent had contributed to his demise before demanding an explanation from the Government.
Ssegirinya who died on Thursday January 9th 2025 at Lubaga Hospital where he was battling a serious illness since his release from prison in 2023 after being remanded for 15 months on charges related to the Masaka machete killings.
The MP, who was jailed alongside Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana, experienced rapid health deterioration, which led to hospitalizations in Uganda, Kenya and the Netherlands.
His body will be transported on Saturday to Butale, Kaddugala in Masaka district where he will be buried on Sunday January 12th 2025.
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