I like adventure and when it comes to praying in new churches, new places and meeting new pastors, am more adventurous.
But, sometime back, early this year, this adventure turned disastrous when I took a ride with my young cousin brother called Wilson for prayers at a certain church headed by a certain ‘prophet’ in Ggaba – a few kilometers from Kampala.
A day before, I received this unusual call from Wilson telling me to accompany him for prayers at that church (the call was unusual because praying looked a distant issue to Wilson).
I hurriedly joined the queue, escorted him the next day to the church. On the way to Ggaba, Wilson so much convinced me to believe the prophet that, if I had the opportunity would board the fastest car available so that I don’t miss a single second having only a glimpse at this great prophet.
He was telling me how his prayers on a radio station back in Fort Portal cured so many people of diseases and how his prophesies became real.
Wilson wasn’t sick but wanted a prophecy – he wanted to know what would happen to his life in the next ten years.
It was a Wednesday and prayers were supposed to start at 2:00pm, we reached there 30 minutes before time, expecting to find crowds of people waiting for the prophet.
I think what I expected to find was beyond my wild imaginations because at the end of the day, I found a small church with few people.
At the podium, there was a screen playing Christian music. I enjoyed some hits of pastor Bugembe and Babirye – two popular Christian musicians in town.
It was now time but the prophet wasn’t arriving, after 1 hour, few members of the church choir appeared at the podium, unleashed some few dancing strokes coupled with good music – it was fun.
It was now 4:00pm and the prophet wasn’t arriving, I was increasingly running out of patience.
Realizing, I was impatient, Wilson told me, “Wait a minute, great people are always hard to see but few minutes with them, the harvest is always big!” I wanted to abandon this whole business but felt it bad to disappoint Wilson.
Oh! oh! oh! then this great announcement came in from one of the prophet’s aide, “the prophet has arrived,” Wilson and I were so excited, expecting to see miracles.
But again the prophet’s aide said something strange, “the prophet is behind – in one of the church rooms – whoever, wants to see him, must first get an envelop.”
The first people to meet the prophet had to put in the envelope a whooping UGX 50,000 and UGX 5,000 for the last ones.
It was time for distributing the envelops, as usual, the prophets aides swung into action, people put money in the envelops.
Money was a condition for prayers, although it’s mandatory for good Christians to sacrifice some resources for God’s work but on a voluntary basis then, a question crossed my mind, how on earth can God’s prayer be paid for.
Wilson was the first to get out, very disappointed. I followed him, he kept wondering how the word of God can be demeaned to that level.
Finally, we had to go back home but swore never to go back there, after such a disappointing prayer day.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Kiyayi Slum: A hub of marijuana
I took a day off to visit one of Kampala slums called Kiyayi recently, what I found there was amazingly interesting and a concern to the whole society on the other hand.
I had never been to Kiyayi before, but on the way I expected to find thugs, robbers, conmen and prostitutes because the name itself reflects exactly that.
Kiyayi is a common slung used in Uganda to mean people with unethical behaviors like thugs and conmen, etc.
Indeed, the name reflects the nature of the people because; they are deeply involved in criminal activities.
The first resident, I met called Amooti a local retail shop owner told me it’s a hub of criminals ranging from drug abusers to robbers.
Amooti says that beyond midnight going to Kiyayi is very dangerous. Criminals – mostly marijuana smokers - are always on the look for people to rob them of their money and other valuable property.
Located in Nankulabye West Zone, Nankulabye Parish in Rubaga Division and officially known as Zone 4, Kiyayi is always busy with a beehive of activities ranging from video halls, eating joints, saloons and small bars from morning to midnight .
From my observation, the place is also faced with problems of poor sanitation. Most drainage systems are blocked, garbage is littered everywhere and most latrines are full and infested with flies.
Besides, people are suspicious of strangers, many refused to give me interviews because they were suspicious of my activities. A resident told me that they fear security operatives who always come to hunt for criminal gangs especially thieves and Marijuana smokers.
When I approached a cobbler for an interview, he quickly asked me for my identification and the purpose of the interview, when I introduced myself as a journalist he was quick to refuse the interview.
The cobler told me that he is busy, “Mwaggala tukolako mawuliire, police eje etusiibe, sirina buude bwo Ssebo, ndi busy.” In English meaning, “you want to expose us in the media so that police arrests us, I have no time for you, am busy.” The cobbler said.
According to the chairperson LC1 Musisi Muyamba Robert who has lived in the area for more than 30 years, the name Kiyayi came about because during President Idi Amini era in the 1970’s the area was mostly inhabited by criminals who used to smoke Marijuana.
He says during Amin days, robbery, murder, prostitution and rape among other crimes were the order of the day.
The chairman says, Marijuana smokers are still many especially the youth who have posed a high security threat, Muyamba says as a result – of Marijuana – there are increasing cases of rape and robbery.
Efforts to crack them down (drug abusers) have been hampered by lack of help from the government and the economic benefits from the illegal drug trade. A Marijuana stick goes for 200 shillings.
Muyamba says the LC1 leadership of the area has appealed for help especially inform of sensitization programmes on drug abuse, tougher laws on Marijuana and improved security which doesn’t come.
The cahirman says the area also faces threats of disease outbreaks especially cholera because of poor toilets, poor drainage system and uncollected garbage.
Hajji Musa Nsubuga a self employed senior resident of the area says the high criminal levels in the area are further, fuelled by increased levels of unemployment among the youth which makes them idle.
“Unemployed youth are highly involved in gambling games which is a common activity in the area, when their money is lost during the game; they became desperate hence resorting to robbery to recover their lost money.” Nsubuga says.
He adds, “Desperate youth target people, who are coming from work, bars or shopping especially at night between 10: 00pm and midnight and rob their money and other valuables like mobile phones.”
At night the most dangerous spots leading to Kiyayi are on Global Skills SS, Nankulabye West Church and Mukazi Munene road according to Nsubuga.
The many drinking places for local brew called Kasese and the video halls are also responsible for high crime rates because they are breeding places for criminals. Nsubuga says women who sell Kasese hide criminals in their houses during day time only to release them at night to go and target people on the way so hat they can rob their money and other valuables like mobile phones.
Nsubuga blames all the high crime rates in the area to the police officers who connive with the criminal gangs. He says when arrested the criminals receive light punishments and sometimes the police officers do not even bother arresting them at all when tipped, but the police officer attached to Nankulabye police station denies the allegations.
Nsubuga says the light punishments and the soft approach of the police towards the criminals especially drug abusers, has made them so arrogant even towards the local leaders. He says it’s now normal for people to smoke Marijuana freely during the day. But the chairman says the youth smoke from corridors and other dark places at night.
The police officer (who couldn’t tell me his names due to security reasons) told the writer that, “people are ignorant of the law, the law on opium smoking, possession and supply is very weak. Criminals can be convicted with caution or 3 hours of community service in the courts of law.” He says.
He says the police is conducting police patrols everyday and conducting community contemporary policing every first week of the month, all geared at reducing crime rates in the area.
I had never been to Kiyayi before, but on the way I expected to find thugs, robbers, conmen and prostitutes because the name itself reflects exactly that.
Kiyayi is a common slung used in Uganda to mean people with unethical behaviors like thugs and conmen, etc.
Indeed, the name reflects the nature of the people because; they are deeply involved in criminal activities.
The first resident, I met called Amooti a local retail shop owner told me it’s a hub of criminals ranging from drug abusers to robbers.
Amooti says that beyond midnight going to Kiyayi is very dangerous. Criminals – mostly marijuana smokers - are always on the look for people to rob them of their money and other valuable property.
Located in Nankulabye West Zone, Nankulabye Parish in Rubaga Division and officially known as Zone 4, Kiyayi is always busy with a beehive of activities ranging from video halls, eating joints, saloons and small bars from morning to midnight .
From my observation, the place is also faced with problems of poor sanitation. Most drainage systems are blocked, garbage is littered everywhere and most latrines are full and infested with flies.
Besides, people are suspicious of strangers, many refused to give me interviews because they were suspicious of my activities. A resident told me that they fear security operatives who always come to hunt for criminal gangs especially thieves and Marijuana smokers.
When I approached a cobbler for an interview, he quickly asked me for my identification and the purpose of the interview, when I introduced myself as a journalist he was quick to refuse the interview.
The cobler told me that he is busy, “Mwaggala tukolako mawuliire, police eje etusiibe, sirina buude bwo Ssebo, ndi busy.” In English meaning, “you want to expose us in the media so that police arrests us, I have no time for you, am busy.” The cobbler said.
According to the chairperson LC1 Musisi Muyamba Robert who has lived in the area for more than 30 years, the name Kiyayi came about because during President Idi Amini era in the 1970’s the area was mostly inhabited by criminals who used to smoke Marijuana.
He says during Amin days, robbery, murder, prostitution and rape among other crimes were the order of the day.
The chairman says, Marijuana smokers are still many especially the youth who have posed a high security threat, Muyamba says as a result – of Marijuana – there are increasing cases of rape and robbery.
Efforts to crack them down (drug abusers) have been hampered by lack of help from the government and the economic benefits from the illegal drug trade. A Marijuana stick goes for 200 shillings.
Muyamba says the LC1 leadership of the area has appealed for help especially inform of sensitization programmes on drug abuse, tougher laws on Marijuana and improved security which doesn’t come.
The cahirman says the area also faces threats of disease outbreaks especially cholera because of poor toilets, poor drainage system and uncollected garbage.
Hajji Musa Nsubuga a self employed senior resident of the area says the high criminal levels in the area are further, fuelled by increased levels of unemployment among the youth which makes them idle.
“Unemployed youth are highly involved in gambling games which is a common activity in the area, when their money is lost during the game; they became desperate hence resorting to robbery to recover their lost money.” Nsubuga says.
He adds, “Desperate youth target people, who are coming from work, bars or shopping especially at night between 10: 00pm and midnight and rob their money and other valuables like mobile phones.”
At night the most dangerous spots leading to Kiyayi are on Global Skills SS, Nankulabye West Church and Mukazi Munene road according to Nsubuga.
The many drinking places for local brew called Kasese and the video halls are also responsible for high crime rates because they are breeding places for criminals. Nsubuga says women who sell Kasese hide criminals in their houses during day time only to release them at night to go and target people on the way so hat they can rob their money and other valuables like mobile phones.
Nsubuga blames all the high crime rates in the area to the police officers who connive with the criminal gangs. He says when arrested the criminals receive light punishments and sometimes the police officers do not even bother arresting them at all when tipped, but the police officer attached to Nankulabye police station denies the allegations.
Nsubuga says the light punishments and the soft approach of the police towards the criminals especially drug abusers, has made them so arrogant even towards the local leaders. He says it’s now normal for people to smoke Marijuana freely during the day. But the chairman says the youth smoke from corridors and other dark places at night.
The police officer (who couldn’t tell me his names due to security reasons) told the writer that, “people are ignorant of the law, the law on opium smoking, possession and supply is very weak. Criminals can be convicted with caution or 3 hours of community service in the courts of law.” He says.
He says the police is conducting police patrols everyday and conducting community contemporary policing every first week of the month, all geared at reducing crime rates in the area.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Museveni is digging his own grave
Sometimes, I wonder what a full playground of presidential advisors especially those on political affairs advise our dear president, but sometimes you have to sympathise with them because, they are protecting their jobs by telling him (the president) things he wants to hear.
Museveni’s history hasn’t been good on people who offer him “good advice” because in most cases such people are labeled as critics of the ruling establishment and chased out of the system.
People like Bidandi Ssali, Eriya Kategaya, Miria Matembe, Amanya Mushega have faced the wrath of the president when they laboured to give him “good advice.”
But for those trying to reserve their “good advice” in the name of protecting their jobs, such jobs will soon be no more when their advise doesn’t translate into increased popularity leading to increased votes therefore, more years in power and more eating.
I wasn’t surprised when Carolyn Nakazibwe, a journalist with the observer in her article titled, “Thanks for giving my roots back” published in the observer of 14th October, 2009.
Nakazibwe describes how the government ban on her King - the Kabaka of Buganda – to visit his own Saaza of Bugerere has increased her loyalty to him.
Her case is just a tip of an iceberg and not the only one; people have sought solace in alternative leadership because of the bad acts of this government like corruption, tribalism, denial of free speech and assembly, military crackdown of rioters, unemployment, vote rigging, etc.
When people are pushed against the wall by certain leaders, it’s natural that they will find solace in alternative leaders for instance the opposition politicians and cultural leaders to help them get out of their current predicament.
Recently, at the epitome of the of the Bafuuruki debate, a friend from Kibaale district – an indigenous Munyoro - told me, people can decide to be brutal and very aggressive if certain conditions force them to, such as denying them the right to participate in the management of their own affairs.
Imagine a situation where an indigenous Munyoro from Kibaale district can’t be an LC 3 chairperson because the Bakiga’s out number them and vote on tribal basis. Mind you, am not tribalistic.
This is the same case with employment especially among the youth in Uganda, where people are not given jobs based on merit but on the basis of who knows you in government circles.
Besides, unemployment which our dear president recently admitted, there are other ills this government has committed that continue to anger the population like banning Ebimeeza on radios which infringes on the people’s constitutional right to express their opinions.
During the Burial of my late grandmother recently in Fort Portal, a wife to one of my uncles said, people who openly express their anger when annoyed are not as dangerous as people who keep their anger within themselves because expressing anger helps to cool it down.
When the president bans, Ebimeeza, people will have no chance to express their anger and keep it within themselves, at some point they will release it, in a very deadly way.
Such people who lose hope and get dissatisfied with the government because of its ills, in most cases manifest their anger in things like riots, joining the opposition and rebel activities.
The Bakhonzo of Kasese sought solace in the opposition (FDC) when Museveni failed to recorgnise their King, Baganda have sought solace in the king in their quest for federo, good governance and improved living standards, the unemployed youth have sought solace in the opposition for jobs when the government changes.
If Museveni’s system of governance doesn’t change, day by day, more interest groups will seek solace in alternative leadership to achieve their interests.
Other groups, which will soon follow suit, are workers whose money under NSSF is continuously being swindled by mafias within the system.
At the end of the day Museveni will find himself with no one except his generals who have always stood by him during the recent upheavals so as to keep in control of the cake.
Museveni’s history hasn’t been good on people who offer him “good advice” because in most cases such people are labeled as critics of the ruling establishment and chased out of the system.
People like Bidandi Ssali, Eriya Kategaya, Miria Matembe, Amanya Mushega have faced the wrath of the president when they laboured to give him “good advice.”
But for those trying to reserve their “good advice” in the name of protecting their jobs, such jobs will soon be no more when their advise doesn’t translate into increased popularity leading to increased votes therefore, more years in power and more eating.
I wasn’t surprised when Carolyn Nakazibwe, a journalist with the observer in her article titled, “Thanks for giving my roots back” published in the observer of 14th October, 2009.
Nakazibwe describes how the government ban on her King - the Kabaka of Buganda – to visit his own Saaza of Bugerere has increased her loyalty to him.
Her case is just a tip of an iceberg and not the only one; people have sought solace in alternative leadership because of the bad acts of this government like corruption, tribalism, denial of free speech and assembly, military crackdown of rioters, unemployment, vote rigging, etc.
When people are pushed against the wall by certain leaders, it’s natural that they will find solace in alternative leaders for instance the opposition politicians and cultural leaders to help them get out of their current predicament.
Recently, at the epitome of the of the Bafuuruki debate, a friend from Kibaale district – an indigenous Munyoro - told me, people can decide to be brutal and very aggressive if certain conditions force them to, such as denying them the right to participate in the management of their own affairs.
Imagine a situation where an indigenous Munyoro from Kibaale district can’t be an LC 3 chairperson because the Bakiga’s out number them and vote on tribal basis. Mind you, am not tribalistic.
This is the same case with employment especially among the youth in Uganda, where people are not given jobs based on merit but on the basis of who knows you in government circles.
Besides, unemployment which our dear president recently admitted, there are other ills this government has committed that continue to anger the population like banning Ebimeeza on radios which infringes on the people’s constitutional right to express their opinions.
During the Burial of my late grandmother recently in Fort Portal, a wife to one of my uncles said, people who openly express their anger when annoyed are not as dangerous as people who keep their anger within themselves because expressing anger helps to cool it down.
When the president bans, Ebimeeza, people will have no chance to express their anger and keep it within themselves, at some point they will release it, in a very deadly way.
Such people who lose hope and get dissatisfied with the government because of its ills, in most cases manifest their anger in things like riots, joining the opposition and rebel activities.
The Bakhonzo of Kasese sought solace in the opposition (FDC) when Museveni failed to recorgnise their King, Baganda have sought solace in the king in their quest for federo, good governance and improved living standards, the unemployed youth have sought solace in the opposition for jobs when the government changes.
If Museveni’s system of governance doesn’t change, day by day, more interest groups will seek solace in alternative leadership to achieve their interests.
Other groups, which will soon follow suit, are workers whose money under NSSF is continuously being swindled by mafias within the system.
At the end of the day Museveni will find himself with no one except his generals who have always stood by him during the recent upheavals so as to keep in control of the cake.
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