Muhammad Ssegirinya, widely recognized as “Mr. Update,” will be remembered in Ugandan politics and on social media. He always put the people of Kawempe North first and was loyal to his Principal Bobi Wine.
Mr. Updates, who passed away today morning on January 9, 2025, at Lubaga Hospital, was serving as the Member of Parliament for Kawempe North under the National Unity Platform (NUP). Below is a look at his life and career:
Born in 1988 at Butale, Kadugala, Masaka District, Ssegirinya was originally named Richard Ssegirinya. He later converted from Catholicism to Islam, adopting the name Muhammad.
Ssegirinya made his first attempt at securing the Kawempe North parliamentary seat in 2011, but his efforts were unsuccessful and he lost to Ssebagala Latif.
He again contested through the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) primaries for Kawempe North but did not win the nomination.
Despite this, he was elected as the Lord Councillor for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), representing Kawempe North.
Riding on the NUP wave, Ssegirinya was elected as the Member of Parliament for Kawempe North in the 2021 general elections.
However, shortly after his election, Ssegirinya faced legal troubles when he was summoned by the Police for alleged involvement in rebel activities in the Greater Masaka region.
He was later charged with murder and attempted murder, leading to his detention at Kitalya Prison where he spent 1 and half years before being released on bail.
Ssegirinya traveled to the Netherlands in 2023 for medical treatment citing health complications reportedly due to the alleged torture during his imprisonment.
When he returned, his health deteriorated again and was taken to Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi where he spent 6 months. He was then discharged in June 2024 and doctors advised him to undergo three months of bed rest under medical supervision.
A month later, Ssegirinya announced his intention to seek re-election for the Kawempe North parliamentary seat in the 2026 elections.
Today, Uganda is mourning the passing of Muhammad Ssegirinya, whose life was cut short after a long battle with health complications.
May his soul rest in peace.
