Ailing Kawempe North Member of Parliament, Muhammad Ssegirinya, is seeking financial assistance, citing an inability to manage the escalating medical costs arising from his health condition. Ssegirinya is currently under medical care at UMC Hospital in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Last week, his family members set a one-week deadline for Parliament to allocate Shs80 million to cover his mounting medical expenses. The family stated that they are currently resorting to selling some of his assets to moneylenders in order to raise the required funds.
Breaking his silence about his situation, Ssegirinya has revealed that Parliament declined to cover his medical expenditures, despite always providing financial support to other Members of Parliament.
Addressing fellow MP Muhammad Nsereko through a video call, Ssegirinya clarified, “There have been reports circulating that Parliament settled my bills, which is untrue. Instead, Parliament turned down my request for financial assistance, even though they have extended help to other MPs.”
During the conversation, Ssegirinya disclosed that he is grappling with a range of illnesses.
“My health challenges encompass skin cancer, coupled with lung infections. Additionally, I am facing liver swellings that doctors recommend should be surgically addressed,” Ssegirinya said.
He added, “I find myself in a state of frustration. Medical procedures such as endoscopy and various tests have been carried out to diagnose the sources of my health issues, causing the expenses to keep mounting.”
Parliament’s Communications Director, Chris Obore, said last week that the institution would not abandon Ssegirinya. He assured that medical assistance would be extended to the legislator upon receiving clearance from the Parliament medical board.