By Twijukye Roberts
As an independent and concerned member of society, I feel compelled to respond to the recent statement issued by a section of teachers in Sheema South Constituency, rejecting Prof. Elijah Mushemeza’s apology over remarks he made some weeks ago.
Let me begin by acknowledging the vital role that teachers play in shaping the foundation of any nation. Their contribution is immense, often underappreciated, and deserves our collective respect. That said, I believe the backlash directed at Prof. Mushemeza — particularly the tone and interpretation of his words — has been exaggerated and politicized beyond fairness.
The statement Prof. Mushemeza made, which was widely circulated and used against him during campaigns, was not — in its original form — an attack on teachers. It was an honest, if uncomfortable, observation about the socio-economic constraints that affect not only teachers but also doctors, nurses, and many other professionals across Uganda. It was not a dismissal of teachers’ efforts, but a reflection of the harsh realities we all live with: low pay, high living costs, and limited bargaining power within underfunded public sectors.
What we witnessed during the election season was a typical case of political opportunism — where a single statement is taken out of context, stripped of nuance, and used to portray someone as anti-teacher, simply for political gain. We must ask ourselves: was the outrage based on the actual content of the remark, or on how it was intentionally repackaged by opponents during a heated campaign?
Prof. Mushemeza’s apology was timely and sincere — not because he had malice in his heart, but because he understood that his words may have been misunderstood, especially once politicized. Rejecting such an apology outright, without acknowledging the context or the truth behind the statement, feels less like a defense of teachers and more like an extension of election-season politics.
We need to create space in our political and civic conversations for people to speak the truth — even when it’s uncomfortable — without fear of being demonized for it. We must also be mature enough to distinguish between contempt and candor.
Prof. Mushemeza is, by training and profession, a teacher himself. Surely, that should count for something in judging his intent. His history speaks more clearly than one campaign-season controversy. If we are to move forward constructively, we must be willing to accept not just apologies, but truth spoken in good faith.
This is not about defending one man — it’s about raising the standard of public debate, and resisting the culture of turning every disagreement into permanent enmity.
Respectfully,
Twimukye Roberts
A concerned citizen and independent voice
