- Source #1
- View Source #1
- Source #2
- View Source #2
Tunachokijua
A quote posted by The Kampala Journal on X attributes the words, “You are already poor and you want to travel. Where are you going?” to Defence Minister and former Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, allegedly made on the floor of Parliament amid rising fuel prices in Uganda.However, the statement does not appear in the actual remarks provided from his parliamentary address. Kiwanuka instead called on Ugandans to reduce unnecessary movements and consider sharing vehicles to manage fuel consumption as international price fluctuations continue.
He explained that the rising cost of fuel was driven by international developments, particularly tensions in the Middle East, rather than a domestic fuel supply problem.
CLAIM
A post made by The Kampala Journal on X claims that Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka told Ugandans, “You are already poor and you want to travel. Where are you going?” in response to rising fuel prices.The statement suggests that the minister dismissed the concerns of struggling Ugandans amid increasing fuel costs.
Click here to see the post.
However, in his remarks on the floor of Parliament, Kiwanuka acknowledged that fuel was available in the country but explained that its price was being affected by international market developments.
He said escalating tensions in the Middle East were contributing to price fluctuations and noted that Uganda did not produce its own fuel.
The minister urged Ugandans to consider austerity measures, including reducing unnecessary travel and sharing vehicles to lower fuel consumption.
He also gave an example of households using two or three cars and suggested that family members could instead use one vehicle for their journeys.
Kiwanuka said:
“The public needs to be notified of the reality of what we are dealing with, that we do not have any product on our own, and probably it is about time for us to start thinking about how we can manage the austerity measures in as far as the use of the product is concerned.”
He further explained that fuel prices were not solely a domestic issue but were influenced by international developments, describing the global situation as highly volatile.
Click here to see the authentic post.
Video by NBS
The quoted statement about poor Ugandans wanting to travel is not contained in his parliamentary remarks.
VERDICT
Exaggerated and misquoted .The statement, “You are already poor and you want to travel. Where are you going?” was not made Kiryowa Kiwanuka in his parliamentary remarks. His remarks focused on international fuel price fluctuations and reducing unnecessary travel to manage fuel consumption.