Kaliro District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Brenda Namukuta, shattered her usual silence in Parliament on Tuesday, delivering a shocking and emotional appeal for protection against her abusive husband.
Namukuta revealed the physical abuse she endures, pleading with Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for assistance, sparking a broader conversation about domestic violence within Uganda’s political elite
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Kaliro District Woman MP, Hon. Brenda Namukuta, broke her silence with a tearful revelation that stunned Parliament.
Namukuta brought attention to her personal struggles with domestic violence, asking Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and fellow MPs for protection from her abusive husband. Her appeal exposed a side of her life that few could have imagined, highlighting the hidden battles faced by even the nation’s lawmakers.
Namukuta detailed the trauma she has endured at the hands of her husband, recounting how his obsession with martial arts has turned her home into a battleground. “It’s like living with Jet Li,” she said, explaining how her husband’s violent outbursts often mirror moves from action movies. She revealed she had been subjected to five brutal beatings, with her husband perfecting his roundhouse kicks and punches.
Her emotional testimony was punctuated by a desperate plea to the Deputy Speaker: “Please, lend me a bodyguard or even a bouncer from one of Kampala’s nightclubs!”The plenary fell into an uncomfortable silence as Namukuta recounted how the latest attack was allegedly triggered by her decision not to support a motion to censure corrupt commissioners. “When I didn’t support the Ssekikubo motion, he went full Bruce Lee on me,” she revealed, further shocking her colleagues.
Namukuta’s plea for help was a rare moment of vulnerability in a chamber more accustomed to political debate and legislative battles.In response, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa expressed deep sympathy and concern, emphasizing the need to take Namukuta’s claims seriously.
He condemned all forms of domestic violence and assured her that Parliament would offer her the necessary support. “No one, especially a Member of Parliament, should live in fear within their own home,” Tayebwa said. He also called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter swiftly, signaling that Namukuta’s case could be a turning point in how domestic violence is addressed within Uganda’s leadership.
Tayebwa’s response has sparked discussions both inside and outside Parliament. Some MPs have voiced support for Namukuta, commending her courage to speak out despite the cultural stigma surrounding domestic violence. “She’s shown bravery.
This case brings to light the pressing issue of domestic violence, particularly against women in Uganda, where cultural norms often pressure victims into silence.
Her call for protection resonates far beyond the political arena, touching a nerve in a society where domestic abuse is often brushed under the rug, especially for women in high-profile positions.
The public response has been swift, with women’s rights organizations expressing their solidarity with Namukuta. “Her story is unfortunately familiar to many Ugandan women. What’s different here is that Namukuta had the platform to speak out, and she used it,” said an activist from the Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET).
The organization has called for Parliament to set a precedent by ensuring that Namukuta receives immediate protection and that the issue of domestic violence is given more attention at the legislative level, reports indicating that nearly 56% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical or sexual violence.
