Mike Sserumaga lying on the floor at Mulago hospital, compared to his hey days
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Former Uganda Cranes midfielder, Mike Sserumaga is fighting for his life at Mulago National Referral Hospital after suffering a stroke, sparking fresh debate about the state of the country’s health sector and the welfare of national sports icons.
Sserumaga, once celebrated as one of Uganda’s most talented midfielders, collapsed at his home earlier this week and was rushed to hospital. Medical examinations later revealed skull damage and blood flow complications that triggered the stroke.
Images of the former international lying on the floor in a crowded hospital ward quickly spread online, painting a grim picture of his condition and the challenges within Uganda’s health facilities. The photos ignited anger among fans, fellow players, and members of the public who questioned why a man who once lifted Uganda’s flag high on the international stage should be left in such a state.
“This is heartbreaking. Not even his past service to the nation spared him from lying on the floor. Uganda deserves better,” one social commentator noted. Others turned their frustration towards sports leaders, accusing them of neglecting former players once their careers end.
The debate comes at a time when government continues to pledge huge sums of money for active national team players. Critics argue that while current players are celebrated and rewarded, there is little support system in place for former stars who fall on hard times.
Apparently, Sserumaga’s plight is quickly becoming more than a personal tragedy, it is now a symbol of two pressing national concerns- how Uganda treats its heroes after their glory days, and also the urgent need to strengthen public healthcare.
Many former sportsmen such as Andrew Fimbo Mukasa have lived and even died in misery after quitting sports with little to nothing to show for their glittering careers.
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