The burial of Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya, a well-known Ugandan politician and member of parliament for Kawempe North, has turned into an event fraught with tension and political undertones. Ssegirinya, who passed away on January 9, 2025, was remembered by hundreds of mourners in his hometown of Masaka today, where his vigil and burial have been marred by disputes over the handling of his remains.
The vigil for Ssegirinya was initially planned to be held at the National Unity Platform (NUP) Headquarters in Kampala, with his body resting there overnight. However, reports from Masaka indicate a significant shift in plans. According to posts on X, unidentified individuals attempted to move Ssegirinya’s body from his parents’ home to Butale Playground where an official send-off had been organized by Nyendo Mukungwe Legislator, Mathias Mpuuga, leading to heightened security measures in the area.
The situation escalated when the army and police allegedly tried to forcibly take Ssegirinya’s body for a state-organized send-off at Butale Grounds, which was met with resistance from local mourners. This move was perceived by many as an attempt to politicize the funeral, causing further friction between the community and government officials. Security forces have been significantly beefed up around Masaka to maintain order amidst these disputes.
Videos and reports from the scene show that the tension has led to a standoff, with mourners not complying with the government’s plans for the burial site. This has left several NRM MPs and ministers, who had come to pay their respects, stranded in Masaka hotels, afraid to proceed to the burial site due to the volatile atmosphere. Rumors also circulated about the presence of high-ranking parliament officials in Masaka, although these could not be independently verified.
Ssegirinya, known for his advocacy for the marginalized and his political activism, had a significant following, and his death has inevitably stirred the political waters. His funeral, meant to be a time of mourning and remembrance, has instead highlighted the deep divisions within Ugandan politics.
The burial of Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya is yet to take place, with the community and political figures still at odds over how to honor his legacy. As this story develops, the focus remains on how these tensions will be resolved and how Ssegirinya will finally be laid to rest.