Minister Oleru Says Ssegirinya's Death Was 'His Time to Die'

While Minister Hudu Oleru told non-Muslims to back off commenting on Ssegirinya's death, her Cabinet colleague Balaam Barugahara struck a measured conciliatory tone and offer apologies for the government's handling of the decreased MP's situation

The Minister of State for Veteran Affairs, Huda Oleru, has stirred controversy with her comments about the death of MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, suggesting that it was simply his "time to die."

The minister dismissed criticisms linking Ssegirinya’s death to his prolonged incarceration, urging non-Muslims to refrain from commenting on the matter.

“The faith I subscribe to strongly believes that you only die when it is your day. If you are a believer, you will know it is your time,” Oleru said, adding that Ssegirinya’s passing was divinely preordained and unrelated to his imprisonment.

Ms Oleru’s remarks came during a heated parliamentary session in which legislators paid tribute to Ssegirinya while condemning the government’s role in his suffering.

Ssegirinya was on Thursday, January 9, pronounced dead three hours after it emerged that he had suffered brain death from Lubaga Hospital where he was undergoing special care.

His body organs collapsed at the time, leaving only his heart beating with artificial help.

Ssegirinya, alongside fellow MP Allan Ssewanyana, was arrested in September 2021 on charges of terrorism, murder, and attempted murder in connection with machete killings in Greater Masaka.

The two legislators spent over 17 months on remand before being granted bail, a period that reportedly took a severe toll on Ssegirinya’s health.

Ssewanyana, who was incarcerated with Ssegirinya, described their shared ordeal.

"We spent almost two years under incarceration, and we talked so much during that time. He went to God an unsatisfied man because it wasn’t his time to go, but politics took him,” he said, adding that better medical attention could have saved his colleague’s life.

Museveni Criticised

The tribute to Ssegirinya turned into a moment on reflection of what-may as well as calls for the government to rethink some of the policies it is pushing.

Butambala County MP Muwanga Kivumbi accused President Museveni of intimidating the judiciary, preventing it from granting timely bail to opposition figures like Ssegirinya.

“Maybe Ssegirinya would have lived longer had President Museveni not intimidated the judiciary. The Constitution grants the right to bail, and no declaration can take that away. Uganda cannot return to the days of Idi Amin,” Kivumbi charged.

Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa, who served as the lawyer for Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana, called for all charges against their co-accused to be dropped, noting the lack of evidence.

“The only contribution we can make for Ssegirinya is to withdraw all charges unconditionally against the remaining accused persons. That is the justice he deserves,” Basalirwa said.

Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko also emphasized the importance of granting bail as a fundamental right.

“Bail is part of ensuring a free and fair trial. If Ssegirinya had been granted bail earlier, he might have sought timely medical attention and still be alive today,” Nsereko noted.

Government Issues Apology

In contrast to Minister Oleru’s comments, the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, struck a conciliatory tone, apologising for the government’s handling of Ssegirinya’s case.

“It is sad we lost a friend. Ssegirinya was a tireless advocate for the marginalized, a fearless critic of social injustices, and a passionate representative of his people," Balaam said.

"As a government, we promise to do better and be more receptive to criticism."

The parliamentary tributes highlighted not only the life and legacy of Ssegirinya but also broader concerns about justice, governance, and the state of political freedoms in Uganda.