NATIONAL
The National Youth Chairman of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Francis Adepo Francis, has sharply criticized Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, the Deputy Spokesperson of the National Unity Platform (NUP), over his insensitive remarks about the late Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya during his illness.
Mr. Adepo stated that Ssegirinya’s death should serve as a stern warning to leaders who engage in reckless and divisive rhetoric. He accused Mufumbiro of making baseless claims that Ssegirinya faked his illness to tarnish NUP’s reputation, remarks he described as both “unfounded” and “inhumane.”
Hon. Ssegirinya, who had been battling severe health complications since his arrests under the regime’s oppressive system, had expressed pain over Mufumbiro’s comments; “I heard the statements he (Mufumbiro) made while I was on my sick bed; I was very pained. Everyone else in NUP was sending me good wishes, but Waiswa was abusing me.” said Ssegirinya on return from hospital. “I now decree that he should never step at my burial.”
The FDC Youth Chairman did not mince words in calling out Mufumbiro, accusing him of undermining the opposition’s cohesion and failing to exhibit the empathy that leadership demands.
“Leadership is about compassion and solidarity, especially during moments of vulnerability. Mufumbiro’s careless remarks are a stain on the unity we need as opposition leaders, Waiswa must apologies to the family of Ssegirinya and the people of Kawempe” he remarked.
Adepo also affirmed FDC’s plans to participate in the forthcoming Kawempe North by-election, following Ssegirinya’s demise. He emphasized Ssegirinya’s earlier ties to the FDC before joining NUP, stating: “In the FDC, Ssegirinya was our own as well; he was our son. A very active youth in the 2010s. We are working closely with our structures in Kawempe to identify a suitable candidate to replace Hon. Ssegirinya and continue his legacy of service.”
In addition, Adepo called on all opposition leaders to reflect on their actions and prioritize unity and respect.
“The regime thrives on our disunity. When we attack each other, we weaken our cause and strengthen our oppressors. Let Ssegirinya’s sacrifice and commitment to justice inspire us to be better leaders and comrades,” he said.
It is worth noting that Mr. Adepo Francis also serves as the Secretary General of the Eastern Revolutionary Platform (ERP), a pressure group mobilizing Eastern Uganda to reclaim state power and advance the cause of democracy.
Adepo is not the only person to reignite Ssegirinya’s will regarding blocking Mufumbiro and some NUP members from attending his burial.
While paying tribute to honor his contributions to the country at parliament yesterday (January 10, 2025), the Busia Municipality Member of Parliament, Geofrey Macho called for honoring of Ssegirinya’s will.
“Words of living people when they are dead should be taken seriously,” MP Macho remarked. ” Hon. Ssegirinya, whe he was still alive, there are some people he said they should not step on his grave. Those people are crying more than the relatives of Ssegirinya moreover, before he died he told them, “you authored a letter saying I am not sick, don’t step on my grave!”
“The words of Ssegirinya must be taken seriously,” Macho emphasized.
Social Media users on X, formerly Twitter have also bushed out Mufumbiro and his accomplices accusing them of their inhumane and malicious utterances during the time when Ssegirinya was admitted to hospitals stating that his blood will require at his hands.
“They’ll agree that their biggest obstacle is now over. Therefore, Mufumbiro waiswa, for now, he will go underground until that day comes – 2026,” @mayanja_256
“It is against African culture, common sense and simple rules of morality to talk ill of the sick and the dead! If we shy away from rebuking those who do such things, society will deteriorate to an arena of the uncultured and shameless. Your name alone sounds weird #mufumbiro,” @JamesEvans68644
“Yiyiiiiiiii, Mr Mufumbiro just know the blood of Hon Ssegirinya cries out and u will never have peace,” @NtungireEdward
However, before his death, Ssegirinya and Mufumbiro had buried the hatched and made back to become strong allies.
