In a village gathering that quickly turned from routine to riveting, Mrs. Fosca Baryomunsi, wife of Uganda’s Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, made headlines after delivering a blunt message that has set tongues wagging in Kinkizi East, Kanungu District.
Mrs. Fosca, standing confidently before a crowd of locals, didn’t mince words. With a tone that left many eyebrows raised, she declared that burial financial support commonly known as mabugo—would be reserved only for those who show loyalty at the ballot box.
In short; vote for her husband, or don’t expect help when tragedy strikes.
“Those who don’t vote for Baryomunsi should not come begging for mabugo,” she said, warning that they now plan to vet mourners using video evidence to determine political allegiance before any support is extended.
While some supporters cheered her bravado, many others were left in quiet discomfort. Her remarks drew a sharp line between compassion and politics, raising a pressing question;Should grief and loss be politicized?
Burial contributions in Ugandan culture especially in rural areas are not just acts of charity but deeply rooted in community solidarity.
Using them as political tools sets a precedent that could fray the very social fabric that binds communities together.
Critics argue that tying mabugo to political loyalty risks transforming acts of humanity into partisan transactions. It sends a message that unless one aligns politically, even their pain doesn’t qualify for empathy, a move many find ethically troubling.
Mrs. Baryomunsi’s assertion that her husband is “richer than those who want to unseat him” added further sting to an already charged moment. While intended to highlight their strength, such statements risk appearing tone-deaf, especially in communities grappling with poverty.
While the minister himself has yet to comment publicly on his wife’s statements, political analysts suggest that a timely clarification or distancing may be in order to prevent further political fallout.
In Uganda’s often high-stakes political scene, loyalty is currency but when it begins to cost people their dignity, or their rightful place in community rituals like mourning, perhaps it’s time to rethink the price.
For now, the people of Kanungu are left to wonder;When grief comes knocking, will politics answer the door?
