MASAKA: The burial of Muhammad Ssegirinya, former Kawempe North MP, was anything but a quiet farewell. Held on Sunday in Butale village, Masaka District, the ceremony was overshadowed by political disputes and tensions between the National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership and parliamentary representatives. Instead of a united tribute, the event revealed fractures within the opposition ranks.
The conflict began over the burial send-off ceremony. While the Parliamentary Commission, led by Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, had arranged for the send-off ceremony to take place at a nearby playground, NUP leaders, led by party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), objected. They insisted on Ssegirinya’s family home to honor his legacy as a grassroots leader.
Tensions boiled over when NUP supporters blocked police pallbearers from proceeding to the playground. Scuffles broke out between the factions, and chaos ensued despite heavy police and military presence. Supporters chanted defiance as Bobi Wine arrived, intensifying the emotionally charged atmosphere.
Family Caught in the Middle
Ssegirinya’s mother, Justine Nakajjumba, expressed sorrow over the drama surrounding her son’s burial. She thanked Mpuuga for his unwavering support during Ssegirinya’s illness and pleaded with Kyagulanyi to allow the ceremony to proceed at the playground as originally planned. “It was large enough to accommodate mourners and give everyone a chance to say final prayers,” she said.
The late MP’s brother, John Bosco Kasagga, also voiced disappointment. He noted the family had earlier complied with NUP’s request to take Ssegirinya’s body to their headquarters but was confused by the subsequent disarray.
Calls for Calm
Amid the tension, religious leaders called for unity and respect. Sheikh Isa Mbaziira, deputy leader of the Masaka Muslim community, urged mourners to set aside their differences and honor the deceased with dignity.
Bobi Wine took the stage to criticize the government for neglecting Ssegirinya during his detention. He accused authorities of denying him bail and medical care, only to feign concern after his death. Bobi Wine praised supporters for standing firm against what he called attempts to “hijack” the burial, framing their defiance as a tribute to Ssegirinya’s resilience.
Parallel Ceremony
While the main burial ceremony was held at the family home, Mpuuga addressed a smaller gathering at the playground alongside Ssegirinya’s family members and a few legislators. Mpuuga condemned the disruption caused by some NUP supporters, calling it disrespectful.
“In our culture, we honor the dead. I do not know how to fight over dead bodies,” Mpuuga remarked, denouncing those who disrupted the transfer of Ssegirinya’s body. He described them as outsiders and “night dancers” who did not represent the people of Masaka.
Although the body was not brought to the playground, the parliamentary police band performed anthems and ceremonial rituals. Ssegirinya’s wife, Nanfuuka Fatuma, expressed gratitude to Parliament for their support and appealed for continued assistance for her family.
Reflections and Promises
Ssegirinya’s children and relatives thanked those who supported their father during his life and after his passing. Shifra Nagirinya, one of Ssegirinya’s daughters, expressed deep appreciation for the assistance provided.
Masaka Resident City Commissioner Washaka Kamada pledged to prevent such disruptions in future burials. Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye confirmed that despite initial tensions, the burial proceeded peacefully with adequate security on both sides.
In the end, Muhammad Ssegirinya’s burial mirrored the dramatic and divisive nature of his political career. While mourners celebrated his legacy as a man of the people, the tensions underscored the challenges facing Uganda’s political opposition in presenting a united front.
