Inside Bobi Wine’s emotional tribute at Ssegirinya burial in Masaka

Masaka, (UG):- Thousands of mourners on Sunday gathered at Kadugala Village in Masaka District to bid farewell to Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya, the Member of Parliament for Kawempe North Constituency. The burial was marked by an emotional tribute delivered by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, aka Bobi Wine, the President of the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP).

In his heartfelt eulogy, Kyagulanyi praised Ssegirinya as a self-made man who rose from humble beginnings to national prominence.

“We gather today to say farewell to a great man,” Kyagulanyi began, describing Ssegirinya as a man of exceptional determination. “A man who rose from the poorest of backgrounds to become the talk of Kampala, the talk of Buganda, and the talk of Uganda and beyond.”

Bobi lauded Ssegirinya’s humility, noting his ability to remain grounded despite his success. “He was not an economist and yet he understood the economy of the boda boda rider, the mutembeyi, the woman in the market,” he said, adding that Ssegirinya’s dedication to the common person was unmatched.

The NUP leader reflected on Ssegirinya’s journey, highlighting his rise from a radio caller to a city councillor and eventually to a Member of Parliament. Despite these achievements, Ssegirinya remained humble and accessible.

“Unlike many politicians who love to be addressed with big titles, even when they’re doing nothing or working against the people, Ssegirinya never cared about titles. You would call him Ssegi, and he was fine with it,” Kyagulanyi noted.

The bond between the two leaders forged at Bobi Wine’s 2017 campaign for Kyadondo East MP, was deeply personal as the latter reminisced about their shared struggles and values.

“We shared so much in common with Ssegirinya. Born in villages before moving to the ghettos in the city, and how, like me, he did not dwell on that past but turned his life around,” Kyagulanyi said, emphasizing their mutual commitment to the welfare of ordinary Ugandans.

The former Presidential candidate and eventual runner-up in 2021 recounted Ssegirinya’s pivotal role in the NUP’s People Power Movement, particularly during the 2020 primaries for the Kawempe North MP seat.

Despite opposition from seasoned politicians, Ssegirinya emerged as the people’s choice, scoring over 80% in ground surveys.

“Some politicians came to me complaining. They asked how we could choose a riffraff over seasoned politicians with a lot of education. But we resisted all manner of attempts to overturn the results and insisted that we must follow People Power because that is our power,” he said.

The emotional highlight of the speech came when Kyagulanyi shared Ssegirinya’s final wish: “that he speak at his funeral for five hours.”

Although he could not fulfill this request, Kyagulanyi honoured Ssegirinya’s trust. “His dying wish meant the deep sense of trust that he had in me as his friend and leader. It was very humbling,” the Opposition leader remarked.

In his concluding remarks, Kyagulanyi called for unity and continued dedication to the ideals Ssegirinya stood for, ensuring his legacy lives on.

The burial of Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya marked the end of a remarkable journey for a man who, despite his small stature, left an indelible mark on the nation. His life and work remain a testament to the power of humility, determination, and service to the people.