Who Was Muhammad Ssegirinya?

By BigEyeUg Team Muhammad Ssegirinya, popularly known as “Mr. Update,” was a Ugandan politician and social media personality who rose from humble beginnings to serve as the Member of Parliament for Kawempe North. Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya (RIP) His untimely death on January 9, 2025, after battling cancer and other undisclosed illnesses, marked the end of a remarkable and sometimes controversial journey. Early Life and Education Born in 1988 in Butale, Kadugala, Masaka District, Ssegirinya was the eldest of five siblings in a Catholic family. During his childhood, he faced severe poverty, often selling sugarcane from his peasant father’s fields to make ends meet. Originally named Richard Ssegirinya, he converted to Islam and adopted the name Muhammad. He began his education at Kadugala Primary School, earning 13 aggregates. He continued his studies at Kaddugala Secondary School and Pimba Secondary School in Kyebando. While his academic qualifications were modest, official records indicated that he held a certificate in Urban Food Experience from the Netherlands, which was equivalent to the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education, the minimum requirement for parliamentary service. Rise to Fame Ssegirinya gained recognition through his contributions to Kampala-based radio talk shows, branding himself as “Ssegirinya Eddoboozi lye Kyebando” (Ssegirinya,...