Use 'fight hard, Mr. Updates' instead of 'Rest in Peace' when I die-Ssegirinya
Anyone who writes 'Rest in Peace' for me would have done injustice to me," Ssegirinya declared. "How can you say 'Rest in Peace' when they have killed me? It is not possible
The fallen Kawempe North Member of Parliament, Muhammad Ssegirinya, has left behind a powerful and defiant message that continues to resonate with many of his supporters.
Ssegirinya passed away on Thursday at Rubaga Hospital after a prolonged battle with health complications.
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In a video clip recorded before his death, Ssegirinya urged his followers to refrain from mourning him with the common phrase "Rest in Peace."
"Anyone who writes 'Rest in Peace' for me would have done injustice to me," Ssegirinya declared. "How can you say 'Rest in Peace' when they have killed me? It is not possible."
Known for his outspoken stance on political issues and his fight against political persecution, Ssegirinya rejected the traditional mourning expressions for someone he felt had been wronged.
Instead, he urged his supporters to use the phrase "Fight hard, Mr. Updates" in his memory, calling on them to continue the struggle he championed.
"I am telling you, that is what you should all use when these guys kill me," he said.
Ssegirinya and his counterpart, Allan Ssewanyana, the Makindye West MP, were arrested on September 7, 2021, and spent nearly 16 months on remand, facing charges of attempted murder, murder, and terrorism, relating to their alleged involvement in a series of crimes in the Greater Masaka region.
In 2023, they were granted bail by Masaka High Court Resident Judge Lawrence Tweyanze.
The MPs also faced additional charges of terrorism and aiding terrorism, allegedly coordinated between January and August 2021.
A member of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Ssegirinya was well known for his grassroots activism and vocal political stance.
His prominence rose during the 2021 general elections, where he defeated several high-profile contenders to secure his parliamentary seat.
Ssegirinya had been battling severe health issues since 2021, following his arrest and detention.
Reports suggested his condition worsened due to alleged torture during incarceration.
In August 2023, he was flown to Amsterdam for specialised treatment, but his health continued to decline.
