The theft of banana bunches by unknown people has left a four-time presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye counting losses at his home in Buyinja Zone, Kasangati, Wakiso district.

On Wednesday, Besigye took to X, formerly Twitter, to report that six large bunches of bananas, commonly known as matooke, were stolen from his small Kasangati garden last Tuesday night.

As a measure, he said “many” farmers are now sleeping in their gardens to watch over their gardens at night.

“This is why many people have resorted to sleeping in their gardens—guarding. It’s a compound socioeconomic challenge Uganda faces,” Besigye, the founding president of the Forum for Democratic Change party, wrote. 

Small-scale farming is the dominant economic activity in Buyinja Zone and farmers deal in especially bird and cattle rearing. However, there are residents who also run businesses such as bars, restaurants and grocery shops.

The biggest part of this area is for residentials which are mostly behind wall fences due to the high number of burglars.

Mixed reactions

Besigye’s post drew mixed reactions from his followers, with some sympathizing with his position that Uganda faces socioeconomic challenge while others saying he should be quite generous and donate some bunches of bananas to poor people around him.

“Very sorry about this. Citizens are now working out their own formula of resource allocation,” Thomas Obita said.

Ian Gumisiriza, another follower, said: “…Be a good Christian and share without complaining.”