CLOSE YOUR EYES

Listen …..

Do you hear them?

The birds are chirping

The insects are buzzing

The wind is whispering

The kids are giggling

Your heart is beating

Do you hear them?

This is life

In spite of COVID 19

20 Facts about me - Part 2

In keeping with the #UgBlog challenge, here are the second set of 10 facts about me –


11.                        I am a Mwirian

S-N-A-R-L.

I studied at Busoga College Mwiri and I have never regretted it. It was while at Mwiri (whose logo is the Leopard and hence the SNARL), that I honed my passion for God and leadership. I also made some of my best friends there. Men (and women who either visited us or got to know us) who have continued to have such a positive impact on me to date. Mwiri taught me that all men are born equal and (just like Rotary shows) regardless of your status in life, we are all part of this amazing journey called life. I have met exemplary leaders and givers in and because of Mwiri. I remain a very proud alumnus of the school.

12.                        Friends are special to me

Yes. I love making new friends. There is a special joy that comes with that. Talking to and discovering nuances never known before. I boast of having a number of friends but I have lost a few along the way. I am however learning that they are always more to make. I still have a few childhood friends including one who I met today after almost three decades. I have been blessed with amazing friends around me. Some are givers, others are encouragers. Some are protectors and others are protected. Some have opened up doors for me to achieve greatness and others have helped me survive storms I would never have managed on my own. I treasure them and I mourn those who have either passed on or disappeared. 

13.                         Animals are special to me 

I have a soft spot for the fauna of this world. Be it in the wild as well as in our homes. No need to mention the types. This doesn’t mean all of them are that attractive. In my early years, I thought I would be a veterinary doctor. Today I am settled for those I can visit, those that run away when they see me, those that I can keep, and those that occasionally grace my dinner plate.

14.                        I teach, practice and consult in Law

The law plays a special part in society. I belong to that crop of professional that thinks it is the most important. However, COVID 19 shows that there are more essential services than ours, or did they get it wrong? There is a court case waiting to be heard soon. We hope it will classify us as essential service providers. It is clear that in this season, many people need our services as reports of torture by some security personnel who are implementing the Presidential Directives are very disturbing.  That said, I am conducting online classes for my law students and the consulting has not ended – including –sadly- a divorce petition. 

15.                        Mentorship

Under the theme, Manhood Versus Maleness, I often conduct mentorship classes for primarily the boy child (red the male student at the University), although the ladies have since convinced us to include them in these discussions. We are planning an online one soon

16.                        Dressing

Whereas COVID 19 has allowed us to grow our beards and hair, I love dressing up well. This might have something to do with my profession but I am inspired by others as well

17.                        I am a Rotarian

Philanthropy is my passion and I have found a vehicle through which this can be done. Rotary International.  The mission of Rotary is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. I belong to the Rotary Club of Kampala North and have served as its Youth Services Director. I will, starting this July serves as Director for Membership (which will focus on retaining, caring, and growing our membership). There are also other angles like the Y.O.L.O (You Only Live Once) Missional Community of my local church as well as the Uganda Christian Lawyers Fraternity

18.                        I am a poet

For such a long time, I have written and compiled poetry. There is something special about it. I hope to release my Anthology soon. Look out for it. Cheers. 

19.                        I love adventure and travel 

Yes. I love discovering new places and visiting old cities. Museums also have a special place in my heart since I am a historian. The Museum in Dar es Salaam is very rich. It was quite a surprise when I visited it. We must treasure our own stuff and boast about them. Nonetheless, I would love to visit Israel and Egypt with my family and friends one day. Saving up.

20.                        I love to read, write and blog

From my early childhood, I was very fascinated with the written word. I read many books and have slowly grown my own treasured collection.

20 Facts about me- Part One

20 FACT ABOUT ME-

In keeping with the #UgBlog challenge, here are the first 10 facts about me –

1.     I love Jesus and He loves me more

Yes, I do. If anything truly means anything to me, or if there is anything I can even boast about, it is the fact that Jesus loves me

2.     Nature is my friend and passion

Trees, vegetation, plains, mountains, and valleys. The wild. The farms. All these bring me a lot of joy and peace. A visit to a forest, a swamp with its cooling water (and the sound of the cooling water), all contribute to one of my best moments in life. 

3.     Leadership is my calling

I feel it in my bones, I write about it and offer myself when I feel the call to lead. I remain a student of leadership and learn each day, how I should be a better leader. Currently, I am running a leadership book club with some young energetic people. I love their enthusiasm and wish them the very best in this leadership journey. I am also under instruction by many mentors who I truly honour. I currently lead at Scripture Union Uganda, Uganda Law Society, Uganda Christian Lawyers' Fraternity amongst others. I am also a pundit on television and radio shows on matters concerning good governance, constitutionalism and the rule of law. 

4.     I am an author

Finally, the book is out and a few people have become proud owners of it. After COVID 19, I hope to print more copies for distribution. The book is entitled We do not Teach that at the University: Confessions of a University Don

5.     I am a husband

Yes. I am a proud one at that. There is so much I can say about Clare. She is an inquisitive, caring, hardworking, and awesome human being. She loves ceaselessly and gives so generously of all she has. She is actually annoyingly generous and I have ended up learning from her. It has been a great journey of learning and adjusting. It gets better with the years. What comes to mind is the way in which pearls are formed. Pearls are made by oysters as they try to accommodate foreign bodies that enter their shell, in a bid to prevent it from damaging their fragile bodies. The end result is a precious pearl. This is also the case with marriage. As we try each day to accommodate each other, something beautiful comes through.

6.     I am a father

Recently, I posted a picture of the young lady that appointed me Father. Damita is an awesome lady in her teens and yes we have our battles but hey what a joy it is to ‘fight’ with your employer.  She and her siblings have made our home complete and warm especially in this time as we wait out the COVID 19 scare. As parents, we are super honored to be blessed with these babies. May the Lord give us the wisdom to look after them well. It is our prayer that they will reach their ultimate potential in life and leave this Universe a far better place than they found it

7.     I am a son

An amazing Mother is her son’s Kryptonite. So is my Ma – who now prefers to be called Kaaka Amooti (Grandma Amooti). She is quite a hard-working woman and very selfless. I have never seen her waste a single moment except to rest. She is full of energy and such a caring person. As a nurse, I have seen her care for her patients and as a woman with green fingers, I have seen even the most pathetic of plants flourish at her touch. She has also taught me to always be grateful. I love her to bits

8.     I am a brother

The pages here are too small to describe life as a middle child. There is always something to learn from your elder brothers and a lot to do for the younger siblings. I recall my big brother Robert carrying me on his shoulders to take me to Sunday School at All Saints Cathedral Nakasero. In my childhood memory, I keep believing that he is the one who helped me lard the Lord’s Prayer. May his soul rest in peace. Then one of my brothers Peter gave me my nickname and the other one Musinguzi, a journalist, was such a great storyteller, I never read the Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth after he narrated it to me.  When I watched the movie later in life, I knew the whole story. My relationship with my sisters must have contributed to making me more concerned about the plight of women generally and the girl child in particular. I have been able to learn, from my family, (and now as a father) to be more considerate of the uniqueness of ladies. Preparing for and then taking my younger sisters to school and the hospital, standing up to bullies (with my -then- tiny frame), looking out for them, walking them down the aisle have all been very priceless moments for me. Now that they are married and are mothers, the responsibilities change but a brother I remain.

9.     I love reading the Bible

If ever there was any book that has influenced my life, my culture, my innermost being, it is the Bible. There is always something new that I learn each time I read it or listen to it using various apps that have been developed. Wisdom, peace, joy, happiness, and focus for life can only be found in this great book.

10.                        I am a Christian

The Bible teaches me that for GOD so loved me that He gave His one and only begotten son to die for my sins and in so doing, create a relationship between God and I. Being a Christian doesn’t mean I am better than the next man. It means that I treasure my great relationship with God. I learn about Him each day when I read the word – especially that part that says that He loves me and it is not about how hard I work to make myself holy or better, but it is about HIS grace and unfailing love. He loves me regardless of my shortcomings and I am in Him and He is with me always. My failures are aplenty but His grace is immeasurable.

(To be continued)

Of Hymns and burials

Of Hymns and burials

I shouldn’t trust my childhood memory that much but all seemed to happen very fast. I recall a big number of people appeared in our compound that evening. My mind cannot see their faces anymore but they were many. Some seated, others standing, while some busied themselves with this and the other.

Kaaka had been staying with us for a while. She had been bedridden and therefore I never saw her stand up. On one or two occasions, we had visited her in the hospital. I recall her sleeping on white sheets on the hospital bed. I could hardly see her face. I was still short. I recall fearing to approach her though. I wonder why. I have seen kids do that too. Then on one of those days, Mom and auntie Monica rushed into the house in tears. There was something major that had gone wrong. I can only recall Mom pray. ‘Oh God, you always tell us to give thanks at all times’ she cried. ‘How do I do it now?’ she moaned. It is probably one of my first Scriptures to remember to date. “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

We were too young to know the details of it all. At least I was too young. We figured out that Kaaka had passed away. Suddenly the sunlight in the sitting room seemed to fade. I was probably too young to cry but the memory lingers on. At some point Dad was now home, planning to inform our school that we shall skip classes for a few days, and then the people started arriving. We kids were hardly noticed. People huddled in groups. The evening fire was lit in the compound. What a huge log of fire it was. I must have lingered on in the night a bit. Seated with an Uncle or someone. I must have dozed off at some point. How did we sleep in that house? I wonder

(To be continued)

COVID 19

COVID 19

Books

More books

And other books

Quarantine

Prayer

Facebook live Service

Bible App

Quarantine

Prose

Poetry

Long essays

Quarantine

Internet bundles

Mobile Money

Call bundles

Quarantine

Cakes

Star fruits

Akaaro and firinda[1]

Quarantine

Chirping Birds

Rare flowers

Beautiful rain

Quarantine

Stolen long walks

Rope skipping

Fasting

Quarantine

Stay Safe

Sanitize

Touch not

Quarantine

D.R.Ruhweza

May 1, 2020

---

[1] Finger millet and peeled beans stew

Why Do I Write?

Why Do I Write?

I recall that ride to London from Cambridge using the National Coach services. I sat by the window and my mind drifted from the book I was reading to a couple of the friends I was blessed to know over time. I pulled out my pen and notebook and started scribbling an appreciation for all that they have done for me, inspired me to be, given to me, or been there for me.  On and on I wrote as the bus (or probably train) rode on. I would later finish that poem when I arrived at my friend’s house.

For as long as I can remember, I have used writing (and drawing) as a means to express my deepest thoughts and reflections. To an extent, I could argue that this has been my primary way of expressing my deepest joys, revealing my conflicting thoughts, and expressing sorrow in times of grief. Words have helped me build those bridges, pick those flowers, treat those invisible wounds, churn out my heart’s cry, and even desperation when lonely. I recall writing profusely all my romantic thoughts -when I fell in love -as though I didn’t want any of them to escape. Similarly, when people do horrible things, my pen has come out to wage war on my behalf. Inspiration from God, the Bible, and people with amazing stories also inspire me to write.

It is not always easy to write though. There have been times when words do actually fail me. When anger or frustration blinds the flow of expression and chokes your throat and freezes your hands. Yet, it is important to write even in those times, lest one forgets how one felt. Writing helps capture the moment even if it is only for my own benefit sometime in the future.

That is why I write.

#UgBlogMonth

A Thousand Words

A Thousand Words

They say a picture says a thousand words. This is quite true. The picture of President Museveni giving a hug to Madame Cecilia Ogwal raises a lot of questions in my head. The president has been and continues to be a powerful if not the most powerful man in the nation. Since 1986, he has ruled the nation and under his leadership a lot of changes have happened in the nation. Madam Cecilia Ogwal has been one of the leading opposition members to the government of President Museveni. An astute politician and Christian, she has consistently walked the path of resistance, forsaking the easy perks that would have come from joining the ruling government.

The type of politics in Uganda is the kind that can be quite nasty at times. Sometimes it is violent and other times, there is a lot on intrigue. Yes, there is often a limitation on the freedom of association, expression and assembly. Madam Cecilia Ogwal belonged, for a long time, to the Uganda People’s Congress. This was the party, (which, together with the Kabaka Yekka), ushered Uganda into independence in 1962. This party has, together with other opposition parties, been victim to the limitations imposed by the current government.

Nonetheless, the picture of President Museveni, hugging Madam Ogwal is a powerful picture. The smile on their faces and the gesture itself brought warmth into my heart. It is my hope that this picture signifies that Uganda has turned another page in the way we deal with those people who do not think in the same way that we do. While I am aware that this might be a naïve way to look at the current political scene, a man has got to have hope. Not so?

Dignity in Distress

Dignity in Distress 

D. R. Ruhweza

I see you

Adjust your wig

You put up a brave face

Even when your body needs to rest

But you have to feed your babies

I see

I see you

Apply makeup and perm your hair

In spite of the yellow uniform you wear

And the shame of an inmate number

You respond to

I see you

Your eyes well up with tears

Each time you pass by the boda-boda stage

Where your dignity was roughly removed

In distress you stand strong

Amidst the abuse of in-laws

You silently bear the cross

To feed your babies

I see you

You wince at the memory of their father

Roughly forcing himself on you

Yet smile at them as they call you

Mommy

Fighting the hateful emotion that seeks to envelope you

Each time his resemblance

Develops in their budding faces

I see you

Dignified in your distress

As that lumpen of a man leaves you

Stranded

Crying mucus infested babies tugging

At your hand me down skirts

Thrown out of the single rented house

For lack of rent

He disappears and never returns

I see you

Bear the shame

Having been arrested for collecting bribes

For your superior

Monies you will never touch or see in your own wallet

Shamed before the cameras

As the Jezebel that corrupts the erstwhile perfect medical system

Perfect Kwanini!!

As though we all don’t know

That he who has never sinned should cast the first stone

I see you

Bear the shame of burning eyes and waging tongues

Wife of murderer X

Sister of robber Y

Daughter of philanderer Z

You trudge on

Each step

More painful than the next

I see you

I see you

12^th March 2020