NRM Mobiliser Buried After Museveni Donates Sh50M for Medical Bills

• Summary: Former NRM mobiliser David Besisira is finally laid to rest after President Museveni intervened with a Sh50 million donation to clear his medical bills, which had delayed his burial.

NRM Mobiliser Laid to Rest After Museveni’s Sh50M Donation

David Besisira, a former National Resistance Movement (NRM) mobiliser from Masindi District, was laid to rest on January 5, 2025, after a delay caused by outstanding medical bills. Besisira passed away on December 27, 2024, but his family had been unable to bury him due to an unpaid medical bill of over Sh68 million accrued during his treatment at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya.

The family, after weeks of uncertainty, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the intervention of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who contributed Sh50 million to help clear the debt. Besisira’s brother, Robert Abigaba, thanked the president for the timely donation, which allowed them to proceed with the burial in Kizimwa village, Masindi district. “Besisira left behind 11 children, and we struggled to raise the remaining balance. We are grateful to President Museveni for his support,” said Abigaba.

Besisira’s health complications began after a motorcycle accident in October 2024, which resulted in severe head injuries. He was first treated at Masindi Kitara Medical Centre before being transferred to Nsambya Hospital, where he spent weeks in intensive care before passing away. Despite raising Sh42 million by selling property, the family could not cover the remaining bills, which amounted to Sh26 million.

The hospital’s daily ICU charges, along with expensive medication, made it impossible for the family to continue without external help. “We exhausted all our resources, but we couldn’t keep up with the medical costs,” Abigaba explained.

State Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi also praised President Museveni’s generosity. “Our community raised Sh10.2 million, and with the president’s donation, the family is finally able to lay their loved one to rest,” Ateenyi said.

The situation highlights the financial strain many families face when dealing with high medical costs, with Nsambya Hospital administrator Sr. Teddy Nagadya noting that similar cases often occur when families cannot fulfill payment plans. “We are grateful for the president’s assistance, as the family had refused to sign a payment plan,” Nagadya added.