DP's Sebaana Kizito critically ill

John Sebaana Kizito. Photo/File

Veteran politician and former Democratic Party (DP) President, John Sebaana Kizito is in critical condition after suffering a stroke on Monday.

The former Mayor of Kampala was admitted to Nakasero Hospital's intensive care unit where health experts are monitoring his health.

A family source told New Vision this afternoon that Sebaana has been battling diabetes and high blood pressure. He was initially discharged from the hospital, a day before he suffered a stroke.

"I saw him two days ago and his health was improving. I am on my way to the hospital to visit him," DP's Secretary General Godfrey Siranda told New Vision.

By press time, neither his family nor the hospital was willing to speak about the health condition of the long-serving politician and businessman.

Who is Sebaana Kizito
Born in 1934, Kizito became a well-known figure in politics and business. He attended Ndejje Junior and Ndejje Senior School before joining Kings College Budo at A-level.

In 1955, he joined Makerere University and obtained a degree in Economics, before joining the University of Oregon in the US for a Masters degree in Economics.

In 1963, he won a scholarship to study his second degree in the US and joined the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC).

A year later he joined Crusader Insurance and the following year worked at the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).

In 1980, Sebaana was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Kampala South Constituency and in 1982 was elected DP treasurer.

In 1982, Ssebaana, together with a business associate, set up Uganda's first private (non-government) insurance company, Statewide Insurance Company (SWICO).

Under a new regime in 1986, Sebaana was appointed minister for regional cooperation and two years later as housing minister.

In the 1990s he was appointed minister for cooperatives and in 1994 was elected Constituent Assembly delegate. Sebaana served as Kampala Mayor between 1998 and 2005 and stood as presidential candidate during the 2006 polls but lost.

At the age of 83, the DP stalwart still serves works at the company as board chairperson. With vast wealth in real estate and insurance, he has been billed one of Uganda's richest men.

He is linked to several properties including Sure House on Bombo Road and executive apartments in the suburbs of Muyenga, Kibuli, Bugolobi, Namuwongo, Kansanga, Mengo and Namugongo


In spite of his advanced age, Sebaana is said to stick a strict routine, putting in more hours of work every day even when he appears frail.