UNDER SIEGE: Risks politicians' families face

THE HOUSE 

In Uganda, where politics is not just a profession but also a way of life, the families of politicians often find themselves thrust into the spotlight — whether they like it or not.

For them, privacy is not a luxury, it is a distant dream, writes Doreen Musingo.

As the 2026 elections loom, the stakes are higher, the scrutiny is sharper, and the personal lives of politicians and their loved ones are under siege. This is the story of Shamim Wokobeire, a 24-year-old university student whose life is a paradox of privilege and pain. 

The daughter of Ezra Gabula, the Iganga district LC5 chairperson, Wokobeire is no stranger to the benefits of being part of a political family. Yet, behind the respect and recognition lies a world of intrusion, where the boundaries between public service and private life are blurred, creating chaos in the process.

Double-edged sword 

Wokobeire walks with a quiet confidence, her head held high. To her peers and elders, she is more than just a student; she is the daughter of a man who holds sway over their community. 

“Wherever I go, I am easily identified, sometimes by people I don’t even know, but who interact with my father. It helps me in case I need assistance — just because they know my dad,” she told New Vision. 

With a hint of pride in her voice, she added that this recognition comes at a cost. For Wokobeire, the price is her privacy — a commodity that has become increasingly scarce since her father rose to prominence.

She recalled a particularly harrowing experience in December when her father was admitted to Mulago National Referral Hospital for hypertension and ulcers. 

What should have been a time of quiet recovery turned into a circus of unwanted attention. 

“The hospital ward was congested with voters, friends and strangers,” Wokobeire recounted, her voice tinged with frustration. 

“People were stealthily taking pictures of my father as he lay in bed, hooked to machines. They posted those photos on Facebook and TikTok for the whole world to see. I felt violated — like our family’s pain had become public entertainment.” 

Wokobeire added that she spent days trying to scrub the Internet clean of invasive images and misinformation. But the damage was done. Her father, a man who had dedicated his life to serving his community, was reduced to a viral spectacle.

Wokobeire

Home 'invasion' 

Even after Gabula was discharged, the invasion of privacy did not stop. Doctors had prescribed bed rest, but his supporters had other plans. 

“They would arrive as early as 7:00am,” she said, her voice rising with indignation. 

“They would march straight into his bedroom, ignoring the fact that he was still weak and on strong medication. What hurt most was the audacity of some visitors who would come begging for food, school fees and other favours,” she said. 

“And my father, being the caring leader he is, would give whatever little he had. It’s heartbreaking to see him stretched so thin,” she said. 

The intrusions did not end there. Wokobeire told The Weekend Vision that some individuals secured loans using her father’s name. 

“Someone borrowed sh4m in his name. He only found out when the moneylender came demanding repayment. It is exhausting,” she said. For Wokobeire, the toll of her father’s political career is personal. 

“He struggles to provide for our education because of the overwhelming demands from constituents. It is like we’re always last on his list,” she added.

A shared struggle 

Wokobeire’s story is not unique. Sylvia Kasowole, the wife of Jinja North MP David Aga Isabirye, knows the struggle all too well. 

A resident of Bugembe township in Jinja city, Kasowole had heard the rumours about the lack of privacy in politicians’ homes long before her husband entered politics. Now, she is living that reality. 

“I always heard that in politicians’ homes, the wife has to be around full-time, granting free entry to everyone. You have to be friendly and welcoming, even when it feels like your home is no longer your own. It is exhausting, and it kills the privacy every family deserves,” she said. 

For Kasowole, the constant stream of visitors is a reminder of the sacrifices her family has made. “Politics is not just a job; it is a lifestyle,” she said. 

“It’s a lifestyle that leaves little room for personal boundaries.” Kasowole’s home in Bugembe township is a microcosm of the political life — a place where generosity and vulnerability coexist. 

While she and her husband, Isabirye, open their doors to supporters and voters, they have learned the hard way that not all visitors come with good intentions. 

“It is good to welcome people into our home,” Kasowole said, her voice tinged with a mix of pride and weariness. “But some evil minds use that generosity to fulfil their bad motives.” 

She recounted a particularly jarring incident when the number plates and tyres of her car — the very vehicle she uses to commute to work — were stolen from their compound. 

“We also lost a flat-screen television,” Kasowole added, her frustration palpable. 
The thefts, she added, were a turning point, prompting the family to construct a wall fence around their home to bolster security. Yet, even with the added protection, the intrusions persist. 

By 6:00am, the gate is open, ready to welcome a steady stream of visitors. 
“It has become a daily routine. We have to prepare breakfast for them because they come expecting to be hosted,” she said. 

The demands do not stop at the doorstep. Kasowole’s phone buzzes relentlessly with calls from people who cannot reach her husband. 

“They think I am the easiest route to him,” she said, her tone a blend of exasperation and resignation. 

“But it interferes with my personal work and my peace of mind.” For Kasowole, the most insidious intrusions come from the digital world. Social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp groups, have become arenas for abusive and humiliating attacks. 
“Once I see and read such comments, I feel like the whole family is being attacked and undermined,” she said. 

“I don’t want my children to learn of this, so we restrict them from using our mobile phones,” she said. 

The emotional toll is immense. Kasowole and her husband are constantly navigating a minefield, balancing their public roles with their private lives. When asked if she would support her husband’s re-election bid in 2026, Kasowole’s response is measured. 

“We will seek God’s guidance,” she said. “He is our provider.” The situation, MPs said, is almost in every politician’s family. The crossfire is always present at their doorstep.

Right to privacy 

James Mubi, the Kiira region Police spokesperson, said privacy is a fundamental right enshrined in Uganda’s Constitution under Article 27, as well as in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“The Government has an obligation to protect individuals if their rights are violated. Whether the violation comes from neighbours, relatives, state or non-state actors, the first step is to report the matter to the nearest Police station. We investigate, gather evidence and forward the case to court if necessary,” he said.

Mubi

Home and Politics

Striking that balance

Florence Mutyabule, the former MP for Namutumba district, now a presidential advisor on poverty alleviation in the Busoga sub-region, offers a glimmer of hope. 

She credits her successful political career to the unwavering support of her husband and her commitment to maintaining family privacy. 

“By the time I joined active politics, I had consultations with my husband, who offered total support. Despite my national duties, my family always came first,” she said. 

Mutyabule’s approach was pragmatic. During her tenure as MP, she constructed a shelter in her compound where she held meetings with supporters, ensuring that her home remained a sanctuary. 

“This gave me the privacy I needed,” she said. Mutyabule also cautions upcoming politicians to prioritise the interests of their electorate while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. 

“Bring the views and challenges of your people to national debates. But don’t lose sight of your family in the process,” she said. 

On her part, Sirina Kyakuwire, the Jinja city deputy speaker and Mafubira sub-county councillor, is proactively safeguarding her family’s privacy. As an aspirant for the Jinja City Woman MP seat, she understands the importance of setting boundaries. 

“It is very hard to avoid people when you’re a resident of the same area. But with the position I am targeting, everything has changed,” she said. Kyakuwire has established two project offices in Jinja’s Northern and Southern divisions to handle her political activities. 

“By 6:00pm, I am home attending to my family and spouse. The offices help reduce the number of people coming to our home,” she said. 

Hannington Basakana, a retired army officer and former Jinja district chairperson, said he adopted a method during his tenure that allowed him to serve his constituents without sacrificing his personal life. 

“Privacy and security are self-made,” he asserted, his voice carrying the weight of experience. 

“I handled politics uniquely and smartly. I avoided groups, places like hotels, bars and social media chat groups. These spaces are often filled with abusive and manipulative behaviour. I didn’t have specific friends to build a fence around me, nor did I engage in social media chats. I entertained my visitors and supporters under a tree in the office compound. That’s how I lived in peace.” 

Basakana’s approach not only preserved his privacy but also earned him respect as a leader who was accessible yet disciplined. “I am a unique leader because I didn’t let politics consume me,” he said with a hint of pride.