The Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has paid a visit to Kawempe North MP  (NUP) Muhammad Ssegirinya.

Among, who visited the MP at Nsambya Hospital, where he is receiving treatment, stated that Ssegirinya’s health has significantly improved.

“I have visited our colleague Hon Ssegirinya to convey my heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery,” Among said on Friday, November 10, 2023.

“I am delighted to announce that Ssegirinya has made a remarkable recovery. His strength and determination throughout this challenging period has been truly commendable."

“I extend my sincere gratitude to the medical team, and to everyone who has supported him during this time. We look forward to receiving him back to serve his community with renewed energy,” Among said.

Ssegirinya, along with his colleague Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye Division West, NUP) had spent nearly a year and half in jail and is currently undergoing treatment for reported lung complications.

Ssegirinya’s health has been a concern since his release from prison in February 2023, following charges of murder, attempted murder, aiding, and abetting terrorism related to the killings in Masaka and Lwengo districts in 2021.

Unknown assailants wielding machetes had claimed the lives of 20 people in the area.

Ssegirinya returned from the Netherlands in September, where he had undergone treatment for skin cancer and lung infections. His travel to the Netherlands turned to be controversial as he was accused of traveling without the approval of Parliament and the Uganda Medical Board.

Parliament later said it would foot the medical bills of Ssegirinya once his documents are in order with the Uganda Medical Board.

The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, made the commitment during plenary sitting on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 following social media concerns that Ssegirinya had not received financial support towards his treatment abroad.

The MP was then admitted at a hospital in the Netherlands. Tayebwa noted that the Office of the Speaker and that of the Clerk to Parliament, as well as the medical board had not received any application from Ssegirinya for his treatment in the Netherlands.

He, however, urged immediate family to present his documents to the medical board so that he can receive financial assistance.

“The moment we are told that Hon. Ssegirinya’s documents have been approved, we shall ensure he receives all the necessary funding the next day, just like we have done for other Members of Parliament,” Tayebwa said.

He refuted social media claims that Parliament has not done anything to support Ssegirinya, noting that clear guidelines must be followed when processing treatment abroad for anybody be it an MP or Minister.

Tayebwa clarified that for an ailment needing treatment abroad, a member must make an application to the Uganda Medical Board for referral, which is then signed by the referring doctor together by two senior medical practitioners.

The referring doctor would then defend the application before a team of 12 senior specialists sitting on the medical board.

“Upon approval of the board, the patient is issued with a referral letter from the Director General of Health Services. The Minister for Health then issues a communication to Parliament or Office of the Prime Minister for processing of foreign currency and the referral,” Tayebwa said.

He urged legislators to follow set guidelines when the use of public funds comes into question.