Uganda; A beautiful diverse identity

image from; https://www.prolinnova.net/uganda

I am a Luo young man born and raised among the Samia, educated in Busoga and Buganda now living in Buganda. I had the unique experience of having to grow up with access to mainly Kenyan media so if you ask me what my youthful collections of media entertainment are like, I’ll bring up Kenya aired cartoons and stories. 

I grew up speaking Swahili, Samia, Luo, Luganda, Lusoga and a couple of other local languages. I’m not sure which language I picked up first. It might be one of either English, Swahili or Luo.

My parents always encouraged the idea of having friends over. My first set of friends were Bagisu. 

When with them we used Swahili so I never learned their language. Funny thing is I learned Samia from Busoga and not home in Samia-Bugwe. Oh, Samia-Bugwe is Busia as the locals might refer to that area.

You may be wondering why I’m  engaging in so much self-revelation.

Read a little on and you’ll see why.

Last week a friend of mine came home and recounted how he’d experienced hate speech. He’s Samia and so a friend from my younger days. I laughed and told him that it was his own fault for being tiny and light skinned without a local Samia accent.

But it worried me what he told me. He apparently had been hated on by a boda boda man who called him ‘a munyarwanda!’

It hurt me because I have never heard this kind of hate speech going on. I mean I grew up in Busoga schools where we always said things like ‘abasoga mwadankana’ – which really is a light hearted jab at the Basoga. The thing is it was always light hearted. It was never or rarely hateful to say those words. In fact, I remember Basoga saying it too and then we’d laugh about it and go to eat together. This ‘munyrwanda thing shocked me.

Toward the end of the week, another friend posted on Facebook and said he’d been stopped by a stranger and told that she hated him and ‘his light skinned people.’ That in Uganda refers to the Banyankore-Bakiga and people of Western Uganda generally.

That drove me to realise something I had never noticed about Uganda. Uganda is a country where most of the time, you’ll live with and enjoy the company of people from a tribe whose homeland you have never been too. You’ll enjoy living with them totally and even learn their tongue if you’re interested. We are a hospitable and truly cosmopolitan country. We have many cultures and are happy to embrace them all.

If you disbelieve me, ask yourself why girls recently where mushanana to their introduction ceremonies regardless of cultural background. Of course before the Mushanana was the Gomesi which was largely adopted by Buganda and the rest of the country after. The Mushanana is from Western Uganda. When we where it it’s because we appreciate our Westerners.

Yeah, yeah I know what some of you are thinking. They have taken over all government offices and are nepotistic. But I’ll remind you that you might be falling to the bias of over generalization which is honestly made worse by the fact that  power has been in the same hands for an extended period. It doesn’t mean all of Western Uganda is guilty.

Image from; https://journeysbydesign.com/destinations/uganda/accommodation

As I reflected on the hate speech directed to my friends, I realized that there was an escalation creeping into the country because of a helpless fatigue. A despondence fell over Uganda this 2018 and our leaders have not done a very good job of managing it. With killings and carelessly callous political response that is dressed up in arrogance, we were left feeling lost. Being told that we basically shouldn’t ask the government for jobs as young people because we were immunized was very careless and double edged. That and making no effort to explain policies that directly affect our plight as youth made things a little worse because it angled to remove our little rays of hope. Youthful energy is nothing if it has no hope to spur it on.

Little things like a leadership can help us continue to be the country that embraces its diverse multi- cultural heritage.

I recently realized that I am not well described if I’m referred to as Luo. My true behavioral and belief set draws from all the cultural spaces I have lived in. I love American soul, and Afro-jazz, dislike kidandaali, feel enthused by Wee Naa (Acoli cultural music) and still consider Sarah Tamba to be one of the greatest Musicians of my time. She sings in Kinyakitara and I think Kinyarwanda and I don’t understand everything she says but I have grown up being comfortable appreciating the beauty in words and cultures I don’t fully comprehend so I won’t ever delete my Tamba collection of songs- Bless her Lord and grant her grace to write some more music.

One of the things that’s truly Ugandan is noticing that we are always around someone from a different culture and we can live fully and perfectly happy with them.

If you hear anyone out there mis-representing our collective cultural heritage as Uganda, please stop them and don’t allow them to destroy our loveliness.

For God and My country,

Happy 56^th Anniversary

(C) Ojara

The beauty of my impulsive brains: Just thoughts; yes my thoughts are just!

The beauty of my impulsive brains: Just thoughts; yes my thoughts are just!: I have always wondered at this fact. That someone can be so
in love they will lay down their lives for another. Am not talking about Jesus,
yet. I could though.

The beauty of my impulsive brains: SUBSTANDARD PEOPLE OR SUBSTANDARD HABITS?

The beauty of my impulsive brains: SUBSTANDARD PEOPLE OR SUBSTANDARD HABITS?: I am sorry to go
on a rant but I think we have taken the habit of absentmindedly and
unquestioningly attending church and reading the Bible and justified it as
submission.....

SUBSTANDARD PEOPLE OR SUBSTANDARD HABITS?

So, as a people group are we simply blind to quality or is it something else? I don’t get it. 

Overtime, I have noticed that although I am a very committed Christian, I would rather watch secular movies, read secular novels and many a time listen to ‘secular music’.  The reason is simple. The ‘secular people’ as we have labelled them have a great culture of diligence and service delivery.

I am sorry to go on a rant but I think we have taken the habit of absentmindedly and unquestioningly attending church and reading the Bible and justified it as submission. Unfortunately, overtime, that has meant that we have created an unhealthy, unconscious association that permits us to do a lot of substandard work.

Just to be clear.

In the spirit of saying what I mean, let me say that there is a great Christian channel that shows a movie every weekend. Overtime, I always tried to catch their movies. I always started off excited because I thought to myself. “ Yes, I’ve got one today!” then after about 15minutes of watching I’d give up because the storyline is weak, the pictures are dull, the sound is hopeless, the actors are amateur and the Channel with High Standards misleading the actors by playing their ‘fake movie.’

Then there are our lousy attempts at writing novels. I don’t feel like finishing this thought because it hurts so much. Still write I must. You see most writers are readers and so know obviously that a great piece of writing is usually riveting and engaging. The description is as fierce as “Thomas Hardy’s the story telling as good as ‘Charles Dicken’s, the characterization as important as the storyline and the wording as authoritative as ‘William Shakespeare’s.” When I read something, I always want it to have these aspects. I want the book to be an experience. I want it to take me into its world. I want to see the picture so clearly that I am absent from this dimension for a spell. I want find myself walking around with my face stuck in the page. I want to rush home from work just to continue reading, I love the experience of being angry with the electricity distribution company because they subjected my location to load shedding when I have a story to finish.  Most Christian books don’t offer us this and yet the Bible does.

Lastly, about Christian Music…….  I…….!!!!  

Lest you think I am an unappreciative Christian, may I pay tribute to a few Christians who have done things right

TYLER PERRY

Mr. Perry, God richly bless you for giving us great movies. You give us moving stories with great humor and oh how I love your characterizations! Your stage plays are basically the best I know of and really who doesn’t Love the “Madea movie series”. You have honored God with your abilities. I am glad to say you made my Christianity a lot more fun and easier so much that I could look forward to a Night out to watch a Christian movie with Friends. I thought I would never do that with a Christian movie. Most are just passing through. You are going somewhere.

FRANCINE RIVERS

Francine, Oh dear Francine. (I could say your name again and again!) You do such a great job. You exceed all the standards that any critical passionate book lover sets. I believe that staunch atheists read your novels. I don’t know anyone who has read a book of yours and not been moved. Everyone I know that reads your books falls in love with your work. It all comes alive in every single way rivalling all literary works (and I write this confidently). You are Honorable Francine because you have Honored God and written great Romance stories about People and allowed Him to be Himself as a character. How you do it is simply Genius! I LOVE YOU

Tommy Tenney

Here I must thank a young man named ‘Edgar’ from my secondary school days for investing his money in buying books for our little Scripture Union Library. Edgar, God knows what you did better than I do. We are grateful.

And Now to Pastor Tommy Tenney. Until I read your book ‘Extreme God Chasers,‘  I had tried to read many Christian books on many Christian topics and failed miserably because they just were not engaging (Oh, at the time I was already reading two 200-350 pg novels a week). I read them like most Christians read their bibles; out of a sense of duty. The day I picked up your book, I discovered that I too could read and love Christian literature. Your book, which, may I add is not a novel caught me in its discourse with a grip firmer than a piece of metal locked in an anvil. I have sought your works since then and my relationship with God was fanned into a Furnace by your work. Thank you for being the one man who can write on a Topic like seeking God and make it as riveting as any work can be. You are exactly the kind of person whom everyone intending to create a Christian audience centered piece of work should study. You are very informative, relevant, unabstracted, engaging, descriptive and a host of other words that evade me. Thank you for sharing your gift.

Some works by the above Individuals

Tyler Perry

http://tylerperryworks.wikia.com/wiki/Tyler_Perry_Works_Wiki

Francine Rivers

http://francinerivers.com/

Tommy Tenney

http://www.godchasers.net/

(c) ojara andrew charles 

Just thoughts; yes my thoughts are just!

Things said are things thought. Most thoughts are things seen around us.  Beautiful words are simply day to day facts laid out with mastery and this introduction seems to have nothing to do with the topic…. Hahahaha!!!

So, I went to boarding primary school in Busoga here in Uganda and one day during the third year of my seventh year, I did something foreign to my character. I took possession of an item, a football  that did not belong to me just because I thought to myself, ‘the owner just finished Primary Seven and so he has no need for this ball, I mean he’s going home for ‘vacation.’’ Vacation is the school break for pupils transitioning from the Primary to Secondary school level in Uganda. Needless to say, I was spotted, hunted down by the owner who basically turned all his fury on me and decided he’d inflict vengeance for all the injustices he had suffered through primary school on me.

Alas! He had never been more wrong.

Realising that my punisher was going to lay it all on me, I took flight with whatever speed I could master with my assailant in pursuit. Every once in a while he’d catch up and kick my butt but I kept on running.  I just had to lose him and hide away.

As I ran my brother who was my assailants’ classmate showed up out of nowhere and flew at him with a crazy rage…… and both my fears, pains and troubles were taken away. Blood spoke louder than the wrong I had done. My assailant got a beating. I was safe. Water for all its justification had nothing on me.

I can tell you plenty of other stories from my childhood that shout blood is thicker than water but I am sure you have your own to tell so I won’t bore you. Neither should you bore me with yours. I am not doing a case study over here; just writing.

Part B;

I have always wondered at this fact. That someone can be so in love they will lay down their lives for another. Am not talking about Jesus, yet. I could though. I have always wondered about the true feelings of girls when they leave their parent’s home and adopt those of their spouse. I shudder that even when it doesn’t go smoothly where they’ve gone, they more often than not stick it out. They give away their lives and seal it with a new name. I think it’s admirable but over and above, I know it’s an enigma that I still haven’t solved. Maybe a kind lady will make me understand.

I have thought about friends. It amazes me that friendships are such stable relationships. A friend once sent me the following sms. She said ‘good friends are like the morning. You can’t have them  all through your day but you’re sure they’ll be here when you wake up tomorrow.’ I have friends spread out and am sure so do you and the impressive thing is that neither time nor distance, nor absence of contact affects our bond. I don’t understand how that works. The weird thing is we always hit it off once we bump into each other. It is a thing of beauty. So much so the Bible or the Good Book for those who fear its name says, ‘there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.’

I have known families that live apart and only come together for a wedding and a burial. I have also known families that make excuses to meet each other. They have the duty to.

Friends will just show up and will not always give you a reason. When they are not in touch, they will think about you, even miss you. They do not have a duty to.

Human beings are complex and so is their behaviour so I won’t pretend that I’ve figured it out. Blood is thicker than water, love is thicker than blood???

I need a Wife

I need a wife

But who is she?

I need a wife,

But are you her?

I need a wife

But can it be,

 That I’ll never know who she really is?

I seem to know what I want her to be like;

I want her to be smart, and beautiful and kind and warm

I want her bold and graceful

But isn’t it what every guy does?

He writes a list of requirements and then He goes out, gets a belle

 and she seems everything he ever dreamed of

In fact, she is everything he ever dreamed of until….

Just until that moment when for one split second she is not…

Then, She is everything he never dreamed of….

When she comes out of her shell and reveals her true self

When she not only stands up to your nose but dares you too!

I need a girl who’ll dare me now

I need a girl who’ll give me the chance to get to know her, really get to know her

So that when I have a wife,

I’ll have a truth that’s bound by the truth

I need a wife who is TRUE

I just need a woman who’s who she really is

I ……

I need a wife but is she you?

(c) Ojara Andrew

You dirty, noisy dad and your sexy wife.....

Forget that  title. It's only role was so you'd start reading. If you have, you probably are exactly what it says; dirty, noisy and sexy so congratulations. You have a great image of yourself.

Now to the grave issues.
Isn't it weird that the easiest thing for house girls and washer women is one of the most difficult things for those possessing custody of the world's biggest population; 'minors'? Small talk and at a kid's level.

Most of us are too sophisticated to be playful Papa bear. Exclude me seeing as I skipped the being a parent part and became.... What's the word? A fun blogger.
So, I was saying that if making small talk with the kids is unbearable, then Shouting around the house with the kids is the unthinkable so don't begin to consider just sitting there on the balcony with your 10year old talking about Spongebob Square pants or Barbie. Don't even bring up watching those cartoons with them. Your big brain satisfices that you throwing the ball back to your son only because it fell your way as you walked to the car means you did something at their level. You ignore the ecstatic look in reply to the idea that Daddy kicked the ball back.....

Hey dad, Get off your useless high-horse. Go play some football ball in the compound; get sweaty and dirty and undignified for playing with your son in the lawn. Go skip with the little girl you big girl. The worst thing that will happen is you'll die from a 'heart burst of joy.' The possibilities for the Best thing that could happen are basically endless... A compliment from your 10year old son to his 40year old dad or very possibly a lesson in football will take you to heaven. Some high pitched screaming with the little girl or teenage daughter might lead to 'wow mom, you are sexy when you loosen up'. I am no parent but am guessing that that will rival hearing it from the man you're hopefully still in love with.

My advise is simple stop trying to be a teacher, become a friend on children's terms. Be their mate. Then, just maybe your 16 year old son will tell you about the girl he's interested in. Your teenage daughter will tell you about that crash....no, I meant the heart based version.
For now, just get close by setting an agenda that says not my will but yours be done. The way to achieving what you want your kids to become is very likely in figuring out their little insignificant holiday or just 'game' plans. Harmonise your plan for them with their plan for themselves. Then get dirty with them and dread washing your own clothing for a change.

I seem to be nursing the idea that 'your lessons at home should be caught rather that taught'. The problem with that theory is that it's only effective in the presence of a good informal relationship.

So, let's hear it for the Fathers who hug their sons young or old alike and tell them those stiff words. 'I love you'. Oh yes, and to the mum who'll go girly shopping with their daughter. Love is an indifferent feeling to whoever is giving it but it rewards the same giver with an overflow.
It's weird but do it so that when you visit that kid in school next year, you'll look at his or her report and see a 70% in maths and a 30% in English and be like; wow, you are a good mathematician,  you could be a great banker but when I come to you at the bank I'll be like hey, 'where is that man who speaks fake English.'
It's better than you, you're failing at your books what's wrong with you?

(c) Ojara Andrew C