Tayebwa threatens to ban sambusa, chapati at Parliament

Tayebwa’s remarks come after calls from several Members of Parliament (MPs) urging colleagues to prioritise routine health checkups

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has raised alarms over the consumption of popular snacks such as sambusa, mandazi, and chapati within the parliamentary premises, threatening to ban them due to health concerns.

Tayebwa’s remarks come after calls from several Members of Parliament (MPs) urging colleagues to prioritise routine health checkups following the passing of the State Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs, who succumbed to heart-related complications at Mengo Hospital.

Former Commissioner of Parliament, Elijah Okupa, voiced his concerns over the health of MPs, referencing the systems in place in previous parliaments.

"In earlier parliaments, every morning, there was a team ready to conduct basic health checks, such as monitoring blood pressure, for any member who wanted it," Okupa said.

"This is about our health. Last week, one of our members collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital."

Kasilo County MP Okupa appealed to the Parliamentary Commission to reinstate this health service, emphasizing the importance of routine checkups, a practice even President Museveni has encouraged.

In response, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa urged MPs to take their health seriously, encouraging them to go for medical checkups. He also suggested reconsidering dietary habits within the parliament.

"We need to rethink how we live. I believe we should remove mandazi, chapati, and even sugar from our breakfast package and instead provide cassava and water," Tayebwa said.

The discussion has ignited a debate on the importance of healthy lifestyles within Parliament, with some members supporting Tayebwa’s push for dietary changes while others reflect on how routine health monitoring could improve overall wellness.