Ssebunya Kibirige hospitalised

Jul 22, 2008

AGRICULTURE state minister Dr. Israel Kibirige Ssebunya is critically ill and admitted in a German hospital.

By Chris Kiwawulo

AGRICULTURE state minister Dr. Israel Kibirige Ssebunya is critically ill and admitted in a German hospital.

He was last week transferred to Germany from South Africa, where he had been initially admitted for over a month, The New Vision has learnt.

The minister is battling a cancer ailment, a ministry of agriculture official, who did not want to be named, said yesterday.

Kibirige (NRM) is the MP for Kyaddondo North in Wakiso district.
“Hon. Kibirige has been sick for sometime now and everybody here is concerned. He was flown to Germany when his condition worsened. We wish him quick recovery,” the official said, adding that the ministry was catering for his medical bills.

Agriculture minister Hillary Onek, who is also bedridden but steadily recovering, said he had been trying to access Kibirige but in vain.

Onek had an operation last week.
“It is coming to two months since he was admitted. He has cancer of the tongue, which is very serious. I have asked my permanent secretary to monitor the situation,” Onek said.

Tongue cancer affects the mouth and oropharynx (the part of the throat behind the mouth). The main causes are smoking (cigarettes, cigars and the pipe) in addition to heavy drinking.

Kibirige, who holds a PhD in plant breeding and cytogenetics, has been a state minister for agriculture since 1999.

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