UPC secretary general Ssegwanyi dies

PIC: UPC Secretary General Edward Ssegwanyi addresses a weekly briefing on June 22, 2016. He has succumbed to cancer of the esophagus. (Credit: Godiver Asege)

Uganda People's Congress (UPC) secretary general Edward Ssegwanyi has died, the party says.

He died Monday evening after he was rushed to Mulago Hospital in Kampala, the party's chief administrative secretary Higenyi Kemba said.

It is understood Ssegwanyi suffered organ failure two weeks ago and according to Kemba, he was operated on but developed some difficulties when swallowing.

"Ssegwanyi breathed his last after he was rushed to Mulago hospital last evening."

The party official succumbed to esophageal cancer.

Ssegwanyi is pictured here (seated) interacting with UPC national chairman Lawrence Eugirot Okae during a weekly press briefing mid-last year. (Credit: Godiver Asege)

UPC spokesperson Micheal Osinde said the party is yet to sit and decide on the burial arrangements.

"We are first going to consult with the family members of the deceased and then sit as a party to decide on the arrangements because they might have a different programme," he said.

Ssegwanyi's body will be brought to Uganda House, the party's headquarters, for public viewing before being taken to his Mityana home, according to a communication from the party.

"We shall communicate the programme shortly,"said Osinde.

Ssegwanyi's death comes two months after that of Democratic Party secretary general Mathias Nsubuga which occured on December 18 last year.

This will be seen as yet another blow to the opposition political fraternity.