The burial of Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya in Kaddugala-Masaka took an unexpected turn as political divisions within the National Unity Platform (NUP) surfaced. The NUP leadership declined to release the late MP’s body for an official ceremony at a local playground, resulting in two separate events. One ceremony was led by NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) at the family homestead, while the other was spearheaded by Mathias Mpuuga.
Tensions between Kyagulanyi and Mpuuga, which have persisted for over two years, were evident during the burial. The deceased MP’s mother had requested a unified ceremony at the playground, but her wishes were dismissed, causing public criticism. Deputy Press Secretary Farouk Kirunda labeled the actions culturally inappropriate, pointing out the government’s role in covering the MP’s medical expenses and funeral arrangements.
Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, speaking at a press conference, blamed Parliament for excluding NUP stakeholders from the burial planning process. He accused detractors of intentionally creating chaos to discredit the party, asserting that such provocations backfired. Ssenyonyi emphasized the need for wisdom and inclusivity in handling sensitive matters like state funerals.
The burial also highlighted ongoing tensions between NUP and Parliament Speaker Anita Among. Ssenyonyi revealed that he had been excluded from Parliamentary Commission meetings, which oversee MPs’ welfare and institutional operations. He accused the Speaker’s office of deliberate obstruction, citing instances of backdated invitations.
The discord surrounding Ssegirinya’s burial underscores the political challenges within Uganda’s opposition and raises concerns about the handling of national events in a politically polarized environment.
