Benjamin Agaba, a devoted supporter of Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), has died after setting himself on fire in a desperate act of protest.
Agaba succumbed to his injuries at Kiruddu Hospital, where he had been fighting for his life since February 26.
The tragic incident occurred outside the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on Parliamentary Avenue.
Agaba doused himself in a flammable liquid and ignited his body, leaving bystanders and security personnel scrambling to extinguish the flames. Despite their efforts, the burns were too severe, and Agaba’s struggle ended in heartbreak.
A Father’s Grief and Frustration
Agaba’s father, Benjamin Twinomusha, confirmed his son’s death, expressing both sorrow and anger.
“The NRM officials who promised to help us disappeared. I’ve been struggling alone, using whatever little I had to clear the medical bills,” he lamented.
Agaba’s final act was a fiery testament to his deep sense of betrayal. Eyewitnesses recall his screams as flames engulfed him—a haunting image of desperation and disillusionment.
A Life of Loyalty and Disappointment
A resident of Gomba District, Agaba had dedicated himself to composing campaign songs for President Museveni, hoping for recognition and a modest reward of Shs 3 million. That recognition never came.
A close friend, speaking anonymously, shared Agaba’s unwavering faith in the NRM despite repeated disappointments.
“He only asked for 3 million for his work, but they refused. Now, they will send 5 million for his burial. This government is full of hypocrisy,” the friend remarked bitterly.
Even Agaba’s family had warned him against blind political loyalty. His father had long tried to dissuade him from getting involved in politics, fearing that devotion to politicians often leads to heartbreak. Tragically, those warnings proved true.
Related: Security Guard Found Dead in Masaka: Police Investigate Possible Suicide
NRM’s Response: Too Little, Too Late
Last week, Emmanuel Dombo, the NRM’s Director of Communication, admitted that Agaba may not have received the support he sought because he “did not meet the right people” at the party secretariat.
Dombo assured that the party was “following up” and promised medical assistance. But that help came too late.
Now, Agaba is gone. His charred body, once filled with hope and belief, will soon be laid to rest.
And in the end, the party he gave everything for will send money—not for his dreams, not for his medical care, but for a burial he should never have needed.
A Broader Reflection
Agaba’s tragic death raises questions about the cost of political loyalty and the promises made by those in power.
His story is a stark reminder of the human toll of unmet expectations and the dangers of blind devotion to political systems.
As Uganda mourns the loss of a man who believed too deeply, his death serves as a call for accountability and compassion in a system that often overlooks its most loyal supporters.
Benjamin Agaba’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the human cost of political disillusionment. May his death spark a conversation about accountability and the value of every life.
