Yesterday, I chose to celebrate being African. Its writers, musicians, and greats who have inspired not only me but Afrcia and the world. So I got to reading (Charles) Onyango-Obbo's book, 'Uganda's Poorly Kept Secrets'. Obbo, raises some interesting concepts on family, politics, economy, religion and society. He at once touches the whole of African life in a simplicity which captures any and every age. With real life examples leaving a feeling of oneness with Africa, as these issues which although Ugandan are felt in the lives of every African one way or another. His analysis of religion and its impact on politics and upbringing is like a gentle soda opener on a soda bottle. It calmly tears away the veil and leaves you to enjoy the secrets within. As he describes and compares his years at the Catholic O Level school, St. Leo's, and those of his brother at the Protestant A Level School, Nyakasura, his unusual insight digs away the differences we see in society and separates the soil from the hole. It brought upon me the feeling I had reading the lots of Great African writers that preceded him. If you want to understand Africa better and the impact Uganda has on it, I recommend this book. It is sad that we do not honor our African writers and Artists because the world is too big with a a pool of 6bn+ people to consider, but that does not stop us from honoring our own.
"... am more African than I will ever be Ugandan. Being Ugandan is a nationality concept that is so recent that it has not even penetrated my system yet. I was just thinking this week how my parents were not born Ugandan. When they were born Uganda was not a state, we were Africans! Plain, Pure Africans without the tag of a Nation state to justify our existence ... maybe am just reclaiming the self I am meant to be."Amoding Oluka
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