State Minister Henry Okello Oryem is facing severe backlash after making controversial remarks during an interview on NTV this morning, where he referred to those who die of hunger in Uganda as ‘idiots.’
In his statement, Oryem asserted, “Those people dying of hunger in Uganda are idiots because there is enough food, land, and the right climate.”
This comment has triggered widespread condemnation from the public, who argue that it demonstrates a lack of empathy and understanding of the complex factors contributing to food insecurity in the country.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) report of 2022 highlights the dire situation in the Karamoja region, where long dry spells resulted in acute famine, leading to the death of at least 2,207 people.
Furthermore, the World Food Program (WFP) Hunger Map of 2023 reveals that 16.4 million Ugandans currently face insufficient food consumption. This marks an increase of 1.2 million food-insecure individuals compared to the last three months of 2022.
Critics argue that Minister Oryem’s comments are particularly troubling in light of these alarming statistics. Many Ugandans accuse him of being out of touch with the harsh realities faced by ordinary citizens.
On social media, @PaulLukwago remarked, “His late father was a president, he’s been serving in this govt ever since he left school. What does he know about hunger and the plight of ordinary people?”
Lubega Julius commented, “He is a son of a former president. Most certainly he has never known poverty and deprivation in its real sense. No one dies without trying so hard.”
Roger Ishimwe emphasized, “Ugandans facing food insecurity are victims of circumstances such as climate change, economic inequality, lack of access to education, & limited employment opportunities. Leaders must approach such matters with compassion rather than resorting to derogatory language.”
Gaetano Kagwa expressed disbelief, stating, “This is not an AI-generated video. It is an actual leader in #Uganda really saying that those dying of hunger in Uganda are ‘idiots’. Once again, this is actually real. I cannot formulate my actual thoughts of this for fear of my honest words being used against me.”
As the controversy continues to escalate, calls for Minister Oryem to retract his statement and demonstrate a more empathetic understanding of the complex issues surrounding hunger in Uganda are growing louder.