The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat has pledged to provide medical assistance to Benjamin Agaba, who suffered severe burns after setting himself on fire outside Parliament in a desperate act of frustration.
Agaba, a resident of Gomba District, carried out the shocking incident last Wednesday near the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on Parliamentary Avenue. Witnesses say he doused himself in petrol before setting himself ablaze, prompting bystanders and security personnel to rush to his aid and extinguish the flames.
A close friend of Agaba, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that the 32-year-old had been struggling financially and had repeatedly sought help from the NRM Secretariat and other government offices but had received no assistance. The night before the incident, Agaba reportedly expressed deep distress over his situation, saying he felt abandoned and had lost hope.
Benjamin Agaba sets himself on fire near parliament
Agaba’s political journey has been marked by challenges. Once a supporter of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) during the 2021 elections, he later defected to the ruling NRM, a decision that allegedly came with severe personal consequences.
According to his friend, his defection angered some of his former political allies, who allegedly attacked his home, injured him, and set his father’s house on fire. His father, disappointed with his involvement in politics, reportedly disowned him and forced him to leave home.
Hoping for recognition and support, Agaba composed a song praising President Museveni’s leadership, believing it would earn him financial backing from the NRM. However, despite his efforts to seek an audience with key party officials, he failed to secure any assistance.
Emmanuel Dombo, the NRM’s Director of Communication, acknowledged that Agaba may not have been attended to due to bureaucratic challenges, adding that the party receives numerous requests daily and is often constrained by limited resources.
He assured that the NRM would now step in to provide medical support and listen to Agaba’s concerns once he recovers.
Despite the NRM’s commitment to assisting him, Agaba now faces legal consequences for his actions.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed that he would be charged with attempted suicide once he is discharged from the hospital, as self-harm remains a criminal offense under Ugandan law. The news of Agaba’s act has sparked debate, with some calling for a review of Uganda’s approach to mental health crises.
Activists and opposition figures argue that his case highlights the growing desperation among Ugandans facing economic hardships and broken political promises.
