EDITOR
The final send-off for the late Kawempe North MP, Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya, was as dramatic and passionate as the life he lived, with emotions running high as mourners clashed over funeral arrangements.
Hon. Ssegirinya’s body arrived at his ancestral home in Butale cell, Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, Masaka City, on Saturday evening, ahead of his burial on Sunday. What began as a somber and heartfelt occasion quickly turned into a spirited contest of loyalty and respect.
The organizing committee, led by Nyendo-Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga, planned a public funeral service at a nearby playground to accommodate the large crowd expected to honor the late MP. However, supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), led by their party president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), expressed strong opposition to the state-led arrangements.
A group of NUP supporters, affectionately called “foot soldiers,” passionately blocked efforts to move Hon. Ssegirinya’s body to the planned venue. Their fervor resulted in heated exchanges and, unfortunately, some injuries. Despite MP Mpuuga’s pleas and assurances that the arrangement had been agreed upon with the family, the supporters insisted on retaining the body at the MP’s family home.
Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, echoed the sentiments of many NUP supporters, stating that the party could not allow the state to lead the burial of a man whose death, they claimed, was marred by injustice. “Hon. Ssegirinya suffered at the hands of this government. It’s unthinkable that the same state would now organize his send-off,” he said to thunderous applause.
Amid the commotion, Sheikh Ahmed Kaboggoza, who led the Islamic funeral prayers, urged calm. In a practical and faith-inspired move, he guided willing mourners to proceed with the prayers at the playground, even without the casket. He noted that Islam permits such adaptations in extraordinary circumstances.
The crowd that moved to the venue included Hon. Ssegirinya’s children, two brothers, and his widows, while the body remained with his grieving mother at home. The ceremony proceeded under tight security, with heartfelt eulogies and prayers marking the occasion.
The family expressed mixed feelings about the events. John Bosco Kasagga, a brother to the late MP, voiced disappointment over the confusion but appreciated the support shown by mourners. “We honored the party’s request for a tribute at their headquarters, but we didn’t expect this chaos,” he said.
Despite the drama, the send-off reflected the deep affection and respect Hon. Ssegirinya inspired in his community. His legacy as a champion of the people’s cause was evident in the overwhelming turnout, the passion of his supporters, and the prayers offered in his honor.
As the sun set on a day filled with emotion, one thing was clear: Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya’s impact will live on in the hearts of those he served and inspired.
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