KAMPALA: President Yoweri K Museveni’s remarks that Ugandans should opt for cassava have drawn mixed reactions from across the world.
Speaking during Labour Day celebrations at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Sunday, President Museveni said: “If there is no bread eat cassava. Africans really confuse themselves. If there is no wheat, please eat cassava. Myself I don’t eat bread.”
But the remarks have left many comparing the President to Marie Antoinette’s remarks, which led to the French revolution in 1789.
Mugabe Innocent tweeted: Museveni is reaching his downfall like the ancient regime in France before 1789 queen Marie Antoinette told the angry mob if bread was expensive they should try cakes, now Museveni is making things worse by telling people to try cassava.
Don Caleb tweeted: Marie Antoinette once said; if you can’t buy cakes eat bread. But for Ugandans if you can’t buy bread, eat cassava said President M7 NB; Bible says Proverbs 21:13 (KJV) Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
But Herbert Baluku chose to side with the President. “Meaning survive with what’s available, personally I got his point very well. Every thing is now expensive but let’s survive on what’s available and affordable. Cassava is typically available,I studied from West Nile, Arua, cassava is a good food and Cash crop. Mzee is right,” he said.
Abraham Oloya tweeted: “NRM have heavily invested in Defence but, chosen to ignores some vital sectors. Yet, there are so many graduates left to fend for themselves there’s No work or circumstances makes it hard for them to work.”
Peace Bagala wrote: “Okay the difference with Marie Antoinette’s statement was she was arrogant and sarcastic, her option was a bit expensive and unrealistic compared to the president’s submission of bread to Cassava.
Alfonse Mukasa of Bajjo Events tweeted: “Let them eat cakes!! If they can’t afford bread, In France Marie Antoinette u know what happened !! Our king @KagutaMuseveni said let them eat cassava if they can’t afford bread! history repeats its self, signs of outgoing predt.
Martin Plaut tweeted: Along the lines of “Let them eat cake” the most famous quote by Marie-Antoinette, the queen of France during the French Revolution of 1789. Perhaps Museveni will suffer the same fate she did
Ongim-Along tweeted: “This NRM thing is full of very intelligent people. Last time someone told us to use pawpaw leaves (papaya leaf) as soap for washing and bathing. Now another one tells us to eat cassava instead of bread. Next use chilly leaves as toilet paper.”
Bid Hajji tweeted: “They have already told us that “If you can’t afford Uganda, go to Somalia, If can’t afford city, go to village, can’t find a job go to slavery in Middle East or sell one of your body organs, can’t afford soap, use pawpaw. etc etc What next & what are Ugandans waiting for?”
