Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze has raised concerns about growing political mistrust in Uganda, warning that fear of poisoning has become widespread among political leaders. During a recent parliamentary sitting, Nambooze, a National Unity Platform (NUP) legislator, revealed that some legislators are reluctant to consume food and drinks served during official parliamentary meetings. Her remarks have reignited debate about the state of political relations in Uganda.
Nambooze painted a disturbing picture of the level of suspicion within the country’s political establishment, saying that even ordinary refreshments served during committee meetings are increasingly viewed with fear. She cited an example where snacks were served in a committee, but no one touched them because they thought they were going to be poisoned. Her warning highlighted what she described as a dangerous breakdown of confidence within political institutions.
Although Nambooze did not identify specific poisoning incidents or present evidence of an organised attempt to harm legislators, her warning came at a time when similar fears have been reported in the past. In 2022, anxieties surrounding food served at the parliamentary canteen attracted attention. In 2015, former intelligence coordinator General David Sejusa also made claims suggesting that some government officials preferred carrying their own snacks to meetings.
Nambooze’s latest intervention went beyond parliamentary refreshments, suggesting that political suspicion has spread into ordinary social interactions and traditional cultural gatherings. She warned that political divisions were increasingly affecting activities such as burials, where Ugandans from different political backgrounds traditionally gather to mourn, comfort families and demonstrate solidarity.
The legislator cautioned that the country’s political environment could deteriorate further if the underlying grievances, mistrust and unresolved concerns surrounding electoral violence are not addressed. She described Uganda as a country sitting on a “time bomb,” reflecting concerns about the possible consequences of allowing political tensions to continue without meaningful intervention.
Nambooze’s warning places renewed focus on the deeper political tensions confronting Uganda, raising broader questions about public confidence, political accountability and the responsibility of national leaders to rebuild trust across party lines. While the poisoning fears remain unsubstantiated by specific evidence presented in Parliament, her remarks have sparked a national conversation about the need for greater trust and cooperation among political leaders.
The concerns raised by Nambooze come at a critical time, with Uganda’s political landscape increasingly characterised by tension and mistrust. As the country looks to the future, it remains to be seen whether the government and opposition will be able to work together to address the underlying issues driving these fears and rebuild trust among the population.
Key points
- Ugandan legislators are increasingly fearful of consuming food and drinks served during official parliamentary meetings due to poisoning concerns.
- The concerns have sparked a national conversation about the need for greater trust and cooperation among political leaders.
- The country’s political environment could deteriorate further if underlying grievances and mistrust are not addressed.
