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| Photo credit: Shutters struck |
Being
born a Ugandan is one of the most interesting things that can ever happen to a
person. Those who were not born and haven’t lived in Uganda, before you die
there is a debt of visiting this country that must be paid. Oh Yes, Ugandans
are born crying, not different from that kid born in the United States or china
and Germany. Blood sweat and tears is what we go through just like a person
living in any other country, but we are unique in our way of amity. People are
so friendly and some become relatives when their blood is not linked in any manner
but may have perhaps met in school, work or any other place that created a
strong bond among them. This is a good culture however in a long run, it
creates a debt mindset. In Uganda When a child is born a lot of people
congratulate the parents (but the mom receives more congratulatory messages
than the dad) and come with gifts as a sign of welcoming the new born to the
world. Leave alone the blowing winds of baby showers that are coming from the
western world, no celebrations were made before childbirth. From birth and
during growth the baby keeps receiving gifts from friends and family of the
parents. At age three or four the child starts going to school and in most
cases the support will not only come from parents but also friends and family.
It is very sporadic for a parent to single handedly bring up a child and there
is a Luganda saying which says “omwaana
takuzibwa omu,”loosely translated as a child is not raised by one person. When chased from school as a tuition
defaulter, the parent can seek assistance from the friends and relatives, some
might ask for their money back however most don’t. During holidays, many children are sent to
the parents’ friends and relatives’ homes to spend time there. Some do it as a
way of grooming since they believe that being in a foreign home the children
will start behaving well while to most it is a symbol of togetherness between
the parents. All this happens when a child is still in school and at the
parents place.
When the child is all grown, finishes school
or doesn’t but starts working, it will be a time of returning the favor.
Parents will always wish the best out of a child but he/she will have to
provide some of the earnings to them. As the parents are thanking their child
for the provisions, they remember an auntie who provided tuition for this kid. “I
had no money when you were doing your primary finals, your auntie bailed me out,
give her something too,” says the parent in a persuasive tone. On the way to
see the auntie, you come across your mum’s friend in whose home you used to
spend holidays, you give her something even without her asking because it feels
like you owe her. At the auntie’s place you find her last born son who has been
chased from school, she cannot ably pay for him because she is a retired
government worker. You put a declaration from that day, you will be the one in
charge of his tuition and every time kids are about to go back to school a
phone call is made requesting for the funds. While walking on street, you meet
a childhood friend whom you were really tight with and always got your back in
times of trouble but contact was lost when his parents were transferred up
country. He asks what you are up to lately and you hand over the business card
to him. A few days later you receive a random call and it is this childhood
friend having a sick child, because you two have a rich history you send him
money however it becomes a habit since he feels that you are obliged to pay his
dues since he did when you were kids. On one of the days you visit the village
people expect something from you, even those who just carried you as a baby
will want something for the work they did. All in all a Ugandan lives a life of
paying debts whose origin might not be known. I am still proud to be a Ugandan
regardless.
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