KAMPALA – Benjamin Agaba, a loyal supporter of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, succumbed to his injuries at Kiruddu Hospital. Agaba had set himself on fire outside the gates of Parliament on February 26, in a desperate bid to draw attention to his plight.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrific scene, describing how Agaba doused himself with petrol before igniting the flames. Despite suffering severe burns, Agaba had survived the initial incident, only to succumb to his injuries weeks later.
Agaba’s tragic actions were motivated by his frustration with the NRM party, which he felt had abandoned him despite his loyalty. His property had been vandalized by supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party, leaving his father homeless. Agaba had been seeking help from the party offices for over a year, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
“I have been seeking help from the party offices for over a year now, but no one has come to my aid,” Agaba said in a statement. “I felt like I had no other option but to take drastic action to draw attention to my plight.”
Agaba’s death serves as a stark reminder of the desperation and frustration that can drive individuals to take extreme actions. His tragic story highlights the need for political parties to support their members and address their grievances in a timely and effective manner.
