Why Ssegirinya forbade Mufumbiro from his funeral: Was the feud resolved?

The passing of Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya on Thursday has reignited discussions about a public feud he had with National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro. 

Ssegirinya, passed away on Thursday afternoon at Rubaga Hospital in Kampala, succumbing to health complications for three years.

Prayers for the late MP are set to be held this evening at the NUP headquarters in Kavule, as tributes pour in from all corners of Uganda.

The Feud Between Ssegirinya and Mufumbiro

The fallout between the two leaders began in mid-2023 when Mufumbiro publicly questioned the authenticity of Ssegirinya’s health condition. 

At the time, Ssegirinya had been admitted to a hospital in Amsterdam, Netherlands for several months.

Mufumbiro had claimed in a social media livestream that Ssegirinya’s illness was likely feigned. "You went to the airport walking by yourself, not in a wheelchair. You took an eight-hour flight. It was only when you got to the hospital that you somehow deteriorated,” Mufumbiro said, adding, “We know there are people who feign sickness to push through their interests, and you are not in isolation.”

On his return home, Ssegirinya addressed the press at Entebbe Airport, and expressed deep hurt over Mufumbiro’s remarks.

The MP  publicly disowned Mufumbiro and forbade him from attending his funeral.

 He instructed his family and NUP President Bobi Wine to bar Mufumbiro from the burial, going as far as saying, “If he does, you should pour a basin of dirt on him.”

“I am sending this message to my mother; the man who said that I faked my illness, I know for sure from what the doctors have told me, that I will die before him…but he must never come to my funeral,” said the MP 

“You cannot make a statement like that, I left this place dying. See what I look like now. I was nearly 100kg, I am now only 46kgs.” 

“I am instructing my family and our President. Do not allow (Mufumbiro) to come to my funeral. If he does, you should pour a basin of dirt on him.”

Reconciliation Efforts and Public Criticism

The bitter feud escalated when Mufumbiro criticised Ssegirinya for seeking financial assistance from Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko to cover medical expenses. 

This added strain led to divisions within the NUP, with supporters questioning the party’s role in aiding its members during times of need.

However, the tensions seemed to ease when the two leaders reportedly reconciled on 17 October 2023 at the NUP headquarters in Kamwokya. 

The reconciliation, facilitated by NUP General Secretary David Lewis Rubongoya, was lauded as a step toward unity within the party. 

Rubongoya emphasised the need for NUP leaders to focus their anger on what he called “the enemies of the nation” rather than each other.

“A few days back Hon. Ssegirinya Muhammad expressed anger at some of the words previously said by Deputy Spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro. 

“Very delighted, that today the two leaders met and reconciled. Very pleased to witness this important step on behalf of NUP and our President, H.E. Bobi Wine. Ultimately, we must focus and direct our anger on the enemy of our nation and not on each other,” he said.

The body of Ssegirinya is expected to be brought to the party offices in Makerere Kavule, for prayers this evening.