Ugandans Find Humor in Burundi’s All-Too-Familiar Third Term Crisis · Global Voices
Prudence Nyamishana

Burundian president Pierre Nkuruzinza. Photo released under Creative Commons by the World Economic Forum.
Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza‘s attempt to extend his two-term limit led to mass protests and later an unsuccessful military coup on May 13, 2015 while he was on a regional meeting in Tanzania. The coup delayed his return to Burundi.
A total of 18 African countries do not have presidential term limits, although new research suggests that most Africans support two-term presidential term limit. Politicians clinging to power despite the will of the people is no laughing matter, but a little laughter is sometimes just what the doctor ordered.
The failed coup in Burundi led to a slew of humorous tweets, especially from Ugandans whose own president is seeking a fifth term.
Kemigisa Jacky, a Ugandan journalism student, making reference to Nkurunziza's supposed claim that God has approved his bid for a third term, wrote:
But I am curious to know what God is now telling Nkurunziza! Considering it was God who okayed 3rd term run. #AskNkurunziza
— kemigisa jacky (@JackyKemigisa) May 13, 2015
Ugandan Twitter user MartinAhabwe asked Nkurunziza:
Any improvement on your Maths chief,which term is it now,1st,2nd or Zero? #AskNkurunziza
— MartinAhabwe (@AhabweMartin) May 13, 2015
Some created the #NkurunzizaPlaylist hashtag, where they share titles of songs for Nkurunziza.
The YouTube video below was shared on Twitter under #NkurunzizaPlaylist by Mkandamizaji. This was before Nkurunziza returned to Burundi from Tanzania following the coup. The song is “I Am Coming Home” by Morgan Heritage:
Allan Ssenyonga, a Ugandan teacher and writer, chose a song by the late American rapper Tupac Shakur:
It's me against the world – 2Pac (Nkurunziza is on the extreme right) #NkurunzizaPlaylist pic.twitter.com/QK4eKkwkYy
— Allan Ssenyonga (@ssojo81) May 13, 2015
Uganda Twitter user Ellis Ralph went for American musician Tyrese:
How You Gonna Act Like That – Tyrese #NkurunzizaPlaylist
— Ellis Ralph (@akorabirungi) May 13, 2015
While Odokonyero, a pharmacy student, opted for singer R.Kelly:
#BurundiCoup #NkurunzizaPlaylist If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time | R.Kelly.
— Odokonyero (@OdoKent) May 13, 2015
Elizabeth Paulat, a freelance journalist based in Kampala, Uganda, chose British singer-songwriter Imogen Heap:
HA! Amazing #NkurunzizaPlaylist I'll add “Hide and Seek” by Imogen Heap https://t.co/74fnVHxcPd
— Lizabeth Paulat (@LizabethPaulat) May 13, 2015
@mmnjug selected British R&B singer Mark Morrisson:
#NkurunzizaPlaylist – Return of the Mack!
— mmnjug™ (@mmnjug) May 15, 2015
The Royco Guy imagined Nkurunziza stranded in Tanzania with a single suit:
When yo stranded in Tanzania and you only got 1 suit pic.twitter.com/8kwaSSYfqX
— The Royco Guy (@Currie_Powder) May 13, 2015
He also imagined how the hotel would treat him as an ‘ex-president':
When the hotel manager in Dar Es Salaam asks you to get out of the VIP room coz it's only reserved for presidents…. pic.twitter.com/D5QKNhZ2NW
— The Royco Guy (@Currie_Powder) May 13, 2015
Despite the crisis engulfing Burundi, laughter is still the best medicine.