Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Mayiga Peter has jumped to the defense of a Ugandan vendor captured on video selling grasshoppers on Uganda Airlines flight to Dubai.
The actions of Paul Mubiru attracted heated debate on social media forcing the Uganda Airlines management to demand an apology for his ‘unacceptable’ incident.
Mubiru, according to sources, was selling grasshoppers to passengers at 10,000 U.Shs (ten thousand shillings) and packaging them in polythene bags (Kaveera).
READ ALSO: UGANDA AIRLINES NSENENE VENDOR ARRESTED
Mubiru wrote in a letter to the Country Manager Uganda Airlines: “I am sorry to the fellow countrymen and women, staff of Uganda Airlines, passengers and everyone hurt by the act on board. I recorded that video in question not to tarnish or shame the airline but for comedy purposes, specifically TikTok deeds.”
Mayiga took to Twitter to weigh in on the debate that has gone public by blasting: “I fail to understand the fuss about Paul Mubiru vending nseenene on a Uganda Airlines flight to Dubai. All airlines vend lots of things in-flight. I have witnessed passengers doing forex exchange transactions on board many times.”
“Uganda Airlines nsenene vendor arrested upon arrival at Entebbe airport. Paul Mubiru was whisked away from the arrivals section by two immigration officers.”
“It’s common to see passengers carry their own food onto the plane – which is cleared by the ground crew. Travelers on buses always sell food and other items.”
“If the carrier disapproves of vending they should simply state so – otherwise those who bought the insects appreciate their taste. Mubiru could be adept at salesmanship. No need to stir up a storm in a tea cup.”
The minister of works and transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala has demanded action from the managers of Uganda Airlines on staff who authorized Mubiru to sell grasshoppers on board.
READ ALSO: WORKS MINISTER KATUMBA SUSPENDS UGANDA AIRLINES STAFF
General Katumba Wamala tweeted: “I have spoken to the leadership of the airline to take action against the staff who were in charge when this happened.”
According to Observer Newspaper, Mubiru, who trades grasshoppers on the streets of Kampala was arrested on arrival aboard Uganda Airlines flight at Entebbe Airport.
The online paper revealed that three passengers who travelled with Mubiru from Dubai aboard Uganda Airlines, was arrested by immigration officers at the arrivals section at Entebbe airport.
The paper added that Mubiru was arrested after being swabbed at the airside by medical workers in the ongoing mandatory Covid-19 testing exercise for all incoming passengers.
Mubiru was reportedly approached by two immigration officers after he removed his cap and shades.
The incident, which has since gone viral on social media, happened before the airline’s Airbus 330-800Neo departed for Dubai at Entebbe airport on Friday, November 26.
