Cabinet ministers were conspicuously absent from a parliamentary plenary session dedicated to paying tribute to the late Kawempe North legislator, Muhammad Ssegirinya, who passed away yesterday at Lubaga Hospital after receiving specialized medical care. The motion to honor the deceased MP was tabled by Bugweri County MP Abdu Katuntu and seconded by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi.
Speaker Anita Among, who chaired the plenary, stated that the Parliamentary Commission had fully funded Ssegirinya’s medical treatment in both Kampala and Nairobi. “We were hopeful that one day, we would be seated in this House with Ssegirinya, but God’s timing is never our timing. He is no more; he is going to be with Allah,” Among remarked. She acknowledged Ssegirinya’s short but impactful service in the 11th Parliament, highlighting his dedication to improving healthcare in Kawempe North and recalling his efforts to provide a CT scan machine and ambulances.
Unusually, the government chose not to attend the tribute session. Unlike previous special sittings where the Prime Minister or a representative led the government’s tribute, this time Speaker Among called on MP Katuntu to read the tribute. Katuntu commended Ssegirinya’s hard work and perseverance, noting his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a Member of Parliament. He emphasized Ssegirinya’s passion for community mobilization, journalism, and food security, as well as his advocacy for building the Kawempe North Hospital.
Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi criticized the government’s absence and expressed disappointment over its failure to lead the tribute. He lamented the loss of the young legislator, who passed away at just 37 years old, describing it as a tragic end to a life filled with aspirations.
Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama later apologized on behalf of the 80 Cabinet Ministers for their absence, citing miscommunication about the timing of the special sitting. She explained that she had been ill and was initially informed at 8:00 AM that she would lead the motion at 10:00 AM. However, she received a subsequent call indicating the sitting had been moved to 9:00 AM. Nakadama expressed regret, stating, “There was a miscommunication regarding the time, and I sincerely apologize that it wasn’t intentional.”
Speaker Among rejected Nakadama’s explanation, asserting that the Order Paper and the previous day’s adjournment made the timing clear. “I don’t want to believe this was a miscommunication. I take responsibility. The Order Paper is very clear, and when I adjourned Parliament yesterday, I stated that we would reconvene at 9:00 AM,” Among firmly stated.
