Journalist and lawyer Tugume has publicly apologized to Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba in an emotional statement that has sparked widespread debate, portraying a man who says years of financial hardship, illness and psychological stress pushed him into making remarks he now regrets.
In a candid message addressed directly to the army commander, Tugume pleaded for forgiveness while painting a grim picture of his personal struggles, arguing that hunger, unemployment and despair had driven him to lash out.
“My brother Gen Muhoozi, kindly forgive me where I went wrong. I’m sorry. Let’s move on and forget what I said,” Tugume wrote.
The apology comes after a period of heightened tensions between the journalist and the First Family, during which Tugume made several public comments that attracted criticism and ultimately landed him in trouble with the authorities.
Rather than defending his previous remarks, Tugume sought to explain what he described as the circumstances that shaped his actions.
A Life Defined by Financial Struggle
At the heart of Tugume’s apology is a deeply personal confession about his worsening financial situation.He says providing for his family has become almost impossible despite his impressive educational background.
According to Tugume, paying school fees for his four children has become a constant battle.
He says even buying a loaf of bread has become a luxury. Using humour to describe his situation, Tugume compared purchasing bread to Manchester United winning the English Premier League—a rare celebration in recent years.
“School fees for my four children is a struggle. Even getting them a loaf of bread feels like Manchester United celebrating a Premier League trophy.The comparison resonated widely on social media, where many interpreted it as both comic and tragic.
Tugume says there are days when he spends an entire day without eating because he simply cannot afford a meal.
Degrees Without Jobs
Perhaps the most striking part of his statement is his reflection on education and unemployment. He says he possesses four diplomas and three university degrees, qualifications that would ordinarily be expected to guarantee stable employment.
Instead, he says every day has become a search for food. “Imagine having four diplomas and three degrees, yet your daily assignment is moving from place to place looking for what to eat.”For Tugume, this contradiction represents the painful reality facing many educated Ugandans who remain unemployed or underemployed despite years spent pursuing academic qualifications. At more than 50 years of age, he says he should be planning for retirement.
Instead, he is preoccupied with finding the next meal. “At over 50 years old, instead of discussing retirement, I’m discussing where the next meal will come from.”
A Liberator’s Son Fighting Hunger
One of the most emotional parts of Tugume’s appeal concerns his family history.He says his father participated in the struggle that brought the current government to power.
Yet decades later, he believes the sacrifices made by liberation fighters have not translated into economic security for many of their families. “My father fought to bring this government to power, yet today his son is fighting for bread.”
He then posed a question directly to Gen Muhoozi. “Tell me General, shouldn’t a son of a liberator at least be liberated from hunger?”The statement reflects a broader conversation in Uganda about veterans, liberation families and whether they have fully benefited from the political changes they helped bring about.
“A Hungry Stomach Has No Manners” Tugume says the emotional and financial pressure he has endured eventually affected his judgment.
He insists his criticism of Gen Muhoozi and members of the First Family was not driven by hatred. Instead, he says it was an expression of frustration born out of desperation.
“When you combine all this pain, don’t expect sweet words from me.” He added: “A hungry stomach has no manners.”According to Tugume, years of stress accumulated until speaking out became the only outlet he had left.
“The psychological stress I’m going through makes me speak out—not because I enjoy attacking you or your family—but because I don’t know any other way to release the pain inside me.”
His remarks echo a well-known proverb that forms the title of his statement: “When the stomach is empty, the tongue fears no king.”
The phrase suggests that extreme hunger and desperation often strip away fear, making people willing to confront even the most powerful figures.
Health Crisis Deepened His Despair
Beyond financial hardship, Tugume also revealed a recent health scare.He says he was bedridden while battling cancer and high blood pressure.
According to his account, the situation became even more distressing when he was allegedly unable to clear a hospital bill amounting to Shs2.8 million.He claims the hospital could not release him until the outstanding balance had been settled.
“Please don’t joke with stress,” he wrote. “It reaches a point where a person starts fighting everyone when, in reality, he’s only fighting his own empty pocket.”
Mental health experts have frequently warned that prolonged financial hardship can contribute to anxiety, depression and emotional instability, particularly when combined with chronic illness and family responsibilities.
Plea for Forgiveness and Employment
While Tugume apologized for his earlier remarks, his message ultimately transformed into an appeal for help. Rather than seeking sympathy alone, he directly asked Gen Muhoozi to assist him in rebuilding his life. “So once again, I’m sorry. Kindly forgive me.” He then made a personal request.
“But more importantly, kindly save me. Give me something to do so I can feed my family.”
The appeal ended with perhaps the most memorable line of the entire statement.”Sometimes an insult is simply the loud cry of a man who has run out of options.”
Mixed Public Reaction
Tugume’s apology has generated mixed reactions across social media.Some Ugandans praised him for swallowing his pride and openly acknowledging his struggles, arguing that financial distress can push people into making emotional decisions they later regret.
Others viewed the apology as a painful reflection of the country’s unemployment crisis, saying Tugume’s experience mirrors that of many educated professionals struggling to make ends meet despite possessing multiple academic qualifications.
However, critics questioned whether economic hardship should excuse attacks on public officials, insisting that disagreements should remain respectful regardless of personal circumstances.Others focused on his appeal for employment, debating whether public apologies should be linked to requests for assistance from political leaders.
Beyond One Man’s Story
Whether viewed as an act of humility, desperation or political calculation, Tugume’s statement has reignited conversations about unemployment, mental health, the cost of living and the pressures facing many middle-aged professionals.
His apology goes beyond a simple request for forgiveness. It tells the story of a man who says he has reached the limits of endurance—caught between illness, mounting family responsibilities and the daily struggle to survive.
As his closing words suggest, Tugume wants his remarks to be understood not merely as insults directed at those in power, but as the anguished cry of someone overwhelmed by hardship.In his own words, “Sometimes an insult is simply the loud cry of a man who has run out of options.”
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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