opinion 24 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Action Over Words Needed to Stop Ugandans Celebrating Leaders' Deaths
Uganda's ICT Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi has condemned the rising trend of social media users celebrating the deaths of leaders, urging a return to traditional communal empathy. The editorial stresses that mere complaints won't suffice; leaders must address public frustrations through introspection, accountability, and reviving stalled national dialogues. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/editorial/it-takes-action-not-mere-talk-to-end-culture-of-celebrating-death-5435640
On Wednesday, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, highlighted a disturbing trend among Ugandans: gleefully marking the deaths of leaders on social media. He advocated reclaiming ‘Ugandaness,’ evoking the nation’s heritage of shared mourning and compassion.
This behavior is alien to Uganda’s core values and deeply unsettling. Simply decrying it won’t eradicate the issue. Instead, society must probe its roots, including how leaders handle public matters.
Many citizens feel profound pain amid economic strains, like impending tax hikes. Frustration mounts when officials flaunt lavish spending—such as luxury cars for young children—funded by taxpayers, while justice remains elusive in Parliament or courts.
Lingering scars from the 2021 and 2026 elections exacerbate this insensitivity. Leaders should engage broadly to pinpoint causes.
In 2018, President Museveni initiated a national dialogue via groups like the Inter-Religious Council and National Consultative Forum, aiming for talks in 2019 and a conference. These efforts stalled, demanding urgent revival.
Only swift, decisive actions—not rhetoric—can end this culture, with leaders setting the example.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)