The man who set himself on fire near parliament on Wednesday had threatened to commit suicide the night before, according to his friend.
Benjamin Agaba, ignited his body after dousing himself with petrol at around 10:00 am near the ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on Parliamentary Avenue. Witnesses and security personnel rushed to his aid, managing to extinguish the flames before he was taken to the hospital for treatment.
According to a close friend who preferred anonymity, Agaba had expressed deep frustration the night before, lamenting his failed attempts to secure financial assistance from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretariat and other offices.
His friend further revealed that Agaba was previously a supporter of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in 2021 but later switched allegiance to the NRM. This decision, however, came at a cost.
“He told me that he was in NUP [National Unity Platform] in 2021 and later switched to NRM, but some of his former colleagues were angered and allegedly attacked his home, injuring him, and setting his father’s house on fire. His father, who had begged him to avoid politics, was disappointed in him and chased him away from home,” the friend recounted.
Agaba, a budding artist from Kiboga district, had composed a song praising President Museveni’s leadership and expected recognition or financial appreciation from the NRM. However, his efforts to secure support proved futile.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact motive behind Agaba’s actions.
He confirmed that Agaba was initially rushed to Mulago Referral Hospital before being transferred to Kiruddu Hospital for specialized treatment. Once he recovers, Agaba is expected to face charges related to attempted suicide, Onyango added.
Suicide growing concern
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 800,000 people die by suicide annually, with over 20 suicide attempts for every death.
A report by the Uganda ministry of Health and the Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH) further highlights that Uganda has a high suicide rate of 18.67%, with men being more susceptible than women.
But in NUP there was no money, why would you expect money for switching to nrm, small man if its money don’t even attempt to involve NUP, we have no money for supporters
The friend who claims, can you tell us the name of agaba’z father so that he can help us to know why chased his son from home instead of reporting to police when his house was knocked down
It is a pity he didn’t kill himself. Now he may have to live with the ugly scar and/or stigma for rest of his life.
But where was Benjamin Agaba on 26th Jan 2017, when our 80-year-old “Problem of Africa” categorically told us off that he is neither our servant nor employee?
In other words, by opportunistically composing songs in praises for the man, Agaba lost his shirt and freaked out into setting himself ablaze.
Otherwise, he was mistaken. Maybe thinking Gen Tibuhaburwa would reward him e.g., by appointing him Assistant RDC (Resident Dictator).
Humanly speaking, we wish Agaba a quick recovery from self-inferno (the burn); sober up, have a peace of mind and thereafter into honesty and hard work.
Wahurura?
Money stress is very common and real mostly to men. we go thru a lot due to demands and emotions. Speak and advise me to avoid that. Create hope and alternatives to living.
Sseguya you have a point of lies in NUP. “But in NUP there was no money, why would you expect money for switching to nrm, small man if its money don’t even attempt to involve NUP, we have no money for supporters.” This long serving government provides NUP with substantial funds to financially and politically exist. And many citizens of this country are very much aware that the politics of unity you political guys profess is all about big tax payers money. It is well documented that as these dodgy national NRM elections are approaching, President Yoweri Museveni is going to receive from the MP majority parliament of Uganda, a budget of over 3 trillion shillings to start his privileged campaigns to try and serve a seventh term as president of Uganda. NRM political activist Benjamin Agaba has all his life to worry about concerning his political cake from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretariat!
It is a chicken and egg puzzle .
WHO provides the funds that the long serving government( I do not think this is governemt) provides to NUP ? ( supposing that NUP leaders and supporters are also citizens/ tax payers that have a stake( political cake! ) in national resources ) ?