Teachers in Sheema District have expressed outrage over recent remarks made by Sheema South Member of Parliament, Prof Elijah Mushemeza, in which he described them as "needy, poor and brainwashed."
In a viral video circulating on social media, Prof Mushemeza is seen addressing a public function in Sheema where he mocked arts teachers for staging a strike demanding salary enhancement.
He questioned their ability to sustain a strike given their economic status.
“Sometimes people need to be told the truth,” Mushemeza is heard saying.
“Can a needy or poor person afford a strike? How? These teachers you see here are too poor. Now, if you strike for three consecutive days, what will you eat? Please stop the strike—you will not manage it.”
The MP went further to ridicule striking teachers, saying they were unaware of the many unemployed teachers eagerly waiting to take their places.
“Government can expel and immediately replace you, so you need to be careful,” he said.
Mushemeza also criticised educators for “putting pressure” on President Museveni, saying the national budget was overstretched.
“These things of striking and putting Museveni on pressure don't make sense. If you continue, you will starve because you're too poor,” he added.
The remarks have ignited widespread condemnation among teachers in Sheema and neighbouring districts, with many calling them disrespectful, insensitive, and politically reckless.
“Yes, we are poor as he described us—then why does he come to us looking for votes?” questioned Praise Natwijuka, a teacher at Kyeibanga Secondary School.
Sheema District Inspector of Schools Zebedee Mwijukye also condemned the comments and urged the MP to retract them immediately.
“You can’t just belittle professionals like that. It's not true that teachers are poor—nobody has ever gone to his home looking for food,” he said.
In a crisis meeting held in Bugongi Town Council, furious teachers demanded a public apology from Prof Mushemeza.
“We demand an apology—not just to teachers in Sheema, but across the country,” said Cynthia Mujurizi, a teacher at Bugongi Secondary School.
The controversy comes as Prof Mushemeza gears up for a hotly contested re-election battle against former minister Prof Ephraim Kamuntu in Sheema South.
Many teachers have vowed to withhold their support over what they see as betrayal.
“He shouldn't come to our communities seeking votes,” said Peter Ahereza, a teacher at Ryakasinga CHE.
“If we are too poor, let him campaign among his fellow rich people.”
Repeated attempts by Nile Post to contact Prof Mushemeza for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.