Ugandans love gossip. Period. It’s practically a national activity, ever heard those quarrels and stories at rental houses? The “Mizigo” Or the numerous WhatsApp groups spreading what happened where? Thing is, if there’s “tea”, you can bet someone’s spilling it. And why not? Who wants to be left out of the hottest stories?
For many, “Olugambo” is daily bread. Ugandans simply have a lot going on… who stole what, whose video leaked where, who’s beefing whom but while this overly social behaviour keeps us entertained, at one point one must ask themselves if the prospect of gossiping is just harmless fun, or perhaps a cultural flaw from ancestors long past?
For starters, gossip is basically any casual or formal conversation about other people, usually involving details that aren’t meant for public knowledge. You know, that secret affair you caught your neighbour sneaking in? And it captures everyone, funny how we always think other people are not noticing until we mess up and everyone is a master at your life. Boda Boda stage, the workplace even church gatherings aren’t immune.
Why do people gossip? Simple, gossiping feels good. Many would argue, but the fact is information is power. It makes people feel important. When you have the latest scoop, you are the centre of attention, the source of information and people want that information, and the power that comes with it.
Here in Uganda, social interactions are deeply rooted in communal living so being part of the gossip circle makes one feel included. I mean, if my boys are discussing a topic, you bet I am getting some of it. Sometimes you can even swear you won’t gossip but then someone gets you hooked with “eh, did you hear what he did?” and now you just can’t help but get the info. It’s how friendships are made and maintained—sharing stories, be it factual or exaggerated is a way to bond.
However, gossip spreads fast, and it doesn’t spare anyone. The more people hear it, the more they want to pass it on, before you know it, a private story becomes public knowledge.
It’s fun, true, but gossip isn’t always innocent.
Reputational damage: Nothing ruins a reputation like gossip. A leaked video, a false rumour or a misunderstood situation can easily tarnish someone’s social standing.
Broken relationships: At the end of it all, gossiping is a breach of trust. A betrayal to the victims. Friendships, marriages, and professional relationships break when people realize they’ve been talked about behind their backs.
We’ve seen high-profile individuals face public shame due to gossip. From politicians to musicians and influencers… and once the story is out, it’s nearly impossible to reel it back in.
Is this a cultural flaw? One might argue that gossip has been a part of African societies for centuries. As in, we are storytellers, from ancient folk tales, the “Engelo” told by our parents to modern-day gossip blogs. It’s how we’ve always made sense of our world and passed down information, but perhaps sometimes we take it a little too far.
We have even created phrases to try and disguise it as a concern. Phrases like “bambi, have you heard? …” or “just to let you know…” have become common starters for Lugambo.
Social media has likewise played its role in gossiping. Platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter have made it easier to spread gossip. A single tweet can spark a nationwide debate and just one TikTok video or a leaked WhatsApp screenshot is enough to make someone’s life into everyone’s business.
And then there are the bloggers and influencers—careers built on delivering the latest gossip. They’ve mastered the art of turning private stories into public entertainment, and we can’t seem to get enough of it. Honestly, most of my gossip comes from them. While it keeps us entertained, it also makes you wonder: are we too quick to judge?
Granted, in some cases, gossiping has served as a way to share important information. For instance, if someone is engaging in unethical behaviour, gossip can act as a form of social policing. It can also be a way to express concerns without confrontation.
However, when gossip turns into malicious rumours or spreads misinformation, it becomes toxic. Alas, the line between harmless fun and harmful behaviour is so thin to the extent we never really know we’ve crossed it until we become victims ourselves.
At the end of the day, gossip is part of human nature—and in Uganda, it’s practically our social glue. It’s how we bond, share stories, or even spark a little mischief. Is it harmless fun or a cultural flaw? The answer lies somewhere between. Gossip can be both entertaining and destructive… it depends on which side you wish to lean to. Ask yourself, is this worth spreading? Am I just adding fire?
By Enoch Muwanguzi
