Muhammad Ssegirinya
Quick Facts
Biography
Muhammad Ssegirinya is an opposition member of the Ugandan parliament representing Kawempe north.
Background and education
He was born in 1988 in Butale, Kadugala, Masaka District, Uganda. He attended Pimbas secondary school for his middle and high school education. He later graduated with a Diploma in Journalism from Datamine Technical Business School and a Masters in the Science of Service Delivery from Musa Body University.
Work experience
Ssegirinya is a professional journalist and member of the Ugandan parliament. He served as the lord councillor for Kampala capital city representing the people of Kyebando from 2016 to 2020.
Political career
In 2011 Ssegirinya contested Kawempe north parliamentary seat, but lost the vote. He contested in the 2016 Forum for Democratic Change party primaries for Kawempe north parliamentary seat, but he lost. He contested for a position of councillor representing Kawempe North at kampala cityhall and won.
In 2021, Ssegirinya contested the Kawempe north constituency on the National Unity Platform (NUP) political party ticket, he won. His victory was challenged in court by one of his contenders but the case was dismissed and court declared him winner.
Arrest, Torture and Treatment
On 3 September 2021, Ssegirinya was summoned by Uganda police force to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department for questioning over his alleged involvement in rebel activities in Greater Masaka region.
On 7 September 2021, Masaka Chief Magistrate's court has remandedhim with four counts, three of murder and one of attempted murder. He was Kitalya Maximum Security Prison.
Proof for the allegations was never presented. It is generally believed that Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana were arrested because they are popular opposition MPs. Also in 2005 two popular MPs were arrested on fake charges and later acquitted. On 13 February 2023 the two were released on bail. On 10 August 2023 Ssegirinya arrived in Netherlands and is receiving treatment in AMC Amsterdam for his torture wounds.