By Richard Wetaya

If my mind serves me

By Richard Wetaya

As the three day khuaka kamamela or millet yeast smearing

By Richard Wetaya

An old Lugisu legend has it that, when a Dove bird

The Imbalu Candidate above knows his time of reckoning has come. To be recognised as a man in Bugisu,Eastern Uganda, one has to undergo Imbalu (Circumcision) and it’s no Joke.
The Black swamp mud smearing ritual that the guy above is being taken through does not take place in a domestic setting. It takes place in a muddy swamp associated with Kumusambwa Kwe’Imbalu, or the ancestral power of Imbalu.
It’s carried out partly to determine if one is intent on Imbalu. It’s the last stage of the three day Imbalu rituals. After this ritual, the Imbalu candidate is taken for the cut.

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By Richard Wetaya
Kampala city's skyline undoubtedly keeps changing for the better year in,

By Richard Wetaya

Fashion designing is not only Charles Kasozi’s passion, it’s

By Richard Wetaya   18 year Otandeka Laki literally packs a punch when she is playing football

By Richard Wetaya

The sun steadily sinking into the twilight skies means the end of a

By Richard Wetaya

A tribal custom handed down from a past generation can be a hard one to get rid of. The practice of

From Entebbe’s aero beach, it took us approximately 25 minutes to get to Lake Victoria’s Equator Island.
The winds were blowing mildly and the lake’s blue waters were tranquil. Our destination was an Island on the lake where the lake’s waters straddle the equator.
It is said the Equator line runs through two of the lake’s Islands, principally Damba and Lwaji.
Before we embarked on our voyage however, we had to bid some time, spending close to half an hour, waiting for the mechanics to prepare the ferry’s decks for the ride on Africa’s largest lake.
Excitedly waiting with me, were the East African Mariners, most of whom seemed very eager to stand a treat of their maiden voyage on the famed lake.


The excitement was written on almost everybody’s face. Aside of the adventure, the mariners also had a worthwhile cause to accomplish that day. They were on a mission to donate life saving jackets to the Islander’s fishing communities.
Going by the accounts I heard before we set forth, majority of the lake’s fishermen go on ill-advised fishing expeditions without life saving jackets, even deep in the night when even people without aqua phobia would be dead frightened to ride on the ominous looking waters.
When we finally departed, it was an exhilarating experience. It was a joy ride devoid of bumps and grinds, due to the fact that the lake’s waters are free of reefs and there was not a single trace of a tidal wave. Those sitting down as we rode were heard saying, the ferry was going perpendicular, straight like the way the crow bird fly’s. From the vantage point of the deck however, one could see that the ferry was making turns.


Everyone seemed buoyant when we caught sight of the first Island. There was lots of hoopla all around us. Smiles seemed not locked away. Face’s lit up, by the endless repertoire of jokes, coming courtesy of the many happy go lucky emcees we had onboard. Amazing charms struck our eyes as we rode off on the rather placid waters that characterized the lake that day. It seemed only natural when an old gentleman seated at the back of the ferry exclaimed, God is great. It was spell binding watching the different varieties of birds chirping and flapping away. We caught glimpses of Kingfishers and the egrets flying low on the surface of the water, eager to catch some prey. It was fun too watching all the revelers on the sandy beaches we were leaving behind in our wake.

The Kamikaze fishermen paddling their canoes past us however seemed non chalant. Most looked all too consumed up in their trivial round. Regardless, the sight of them trying to catch fish with their baits ticked the fancies of many on the ferry.
Midway through our voyage, Uganda air force planes hovered over us. Luckily we had some UPDF marines on deck to charm everybody down.
Lake Victoria has many ring shaped archipelagos that many of the fishing communities’ inhabit. They are eye candy especially when you are riding on a ferry.

On the face of it, many of these communities abode in old corrugated iron sheet shelters. All the structures seem provisional. When we went past one of the inhabited Islands, a group of 6 bark naked men were taking a bath on the edges of the Island. Some even had the nerve to wave at us in their birthday suits. As our ferry cruised past the many archipelagos on our way to our destination, almost everybody wanted to catch a glance of these curiosities of nature. It is said Lake Victoria has 84 of them.

We finally reached our destination, Lwaji Island. Plenty of Bird life exists here, going by what we saw when we alighted the ferry. There were many birds flying in and out of their nestling grounds. What fascinated us most however, is the fact that this particular Island seems un-inhabited, save for the few UPDF marine soldiers we found there. Some bits of the Island are cleared of bushy vegetation whilst the rest seems more like bear garden.

On this picturesque Island, one can enjoy a wide view of the lake, the Entebbe airport run way and the other surrounding Islands. The atmosphere and breeze all around us was pleasantly refreshing. On the Island too, you will be able to spot a tree that has incredibly grown on the Island’s rocky surface. The Island can be a good respite, place if you fancy a quiet place to lay your life issues to heart. If sightseeing is your cup of tea too, this island is the perfect get away The Island just like the rest on Lake Victoria are of considerable conservation value but nothing seems to show this particular one is or has been visited or revamped of recent. Before our tour ended, we lined up for photo opportunities at the Equator line. There is a signpost designating the spot where the equator line passes just like in Masaka. ACCESS To get to Lwaji Island, one will have to part with a small amount of money. There are ferry’s that take visitors there often. Ask when you reach Entebbe town or aero beach.

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 It is often said a traveler who does not observe is like a bird without wings. Like the rest of us, a bird without wings, hardly ever experiences what birds with wings experience, that panoramic and picturesque view of Mother Nature
For you the Ugandan or the Visitor with cast about eyes, quite an eye candy feast awaits you, that is if you travel around Uganda often, especially to regions of the country which are virgin territory in terms of visits. One such place is Wanale Mountain in Bugisu.
It may be hypothetical to say but there is some degree of truth in the oft-held narrative that Ugandans are apathetic as regards things like tourism. The picture could not any clearer, looking at it from the Wanale perspective. Visitors and recreationists visiting Wanale have kept on dropping through the years.
That said however, Uganda, without a shadow of any doubt, still remains one of the best endowed nations, nature wise. When you pay a visit to Mountain Wanale, you will agree with me.
Perhaps the highest praise Uganda ever got was from Sir Winston Churchill, he bestowed on Uganda, the Laurel-Pearl of Africa.
To bear witness to what Churchill said, travel around the country often. You will stand a treat of the best nature has to offer in its majesty.
Churchill did not visit Mbale but if he had, he would definitely say something about the undisputed grandeur of Mountain Wanale. This is a place of such transcendent beauty. If your are into Mountain climbing or trekking, Wanale should be a great attraction. The ascent to its peak is an exhilarating experience.
Wanale or Nkokonjeru Mountain as some people call it, is an impressive mountain splendour, replete with precipices, escarpments, deep valleys, water streaked cliffs, caves, rocks and rugged crags.
Standing at a length of 7.67 kilometers, Wanale can be viewed from all areas in Mbale. It covers a huge portion of Bugisu’s land surface. Mbale town literally lies at its foot. From town, one can discern three splendid looking waterfalls. These all originate from the mountain top.
From the mountain top too, one will have an amazing panoramic view of mbale town.
“Wanale is Bugisu’s temple of nature. From the days of old, many visitors expressed instinctive awe at the sight of this mountain. The waters that flow from Wanale spread to every river in Uganda,” States 86 year old Muyesa Francis, an elder in Mukhuwa village
Named after one of the sons of Masaba, the patriarch/father of the Bagisu, Mountain Wanale is believed to be the place where Nabarwa, the Kalenjin woman who prevailed upon Masaba to get circumcised before they got married, came from, on her way from Kenya.

“The Nkokonjeru name that Semei Kakungulu’s people used to refer to that mountain came from the legend that Wanale, son of Masaba, reared only white chickens. Wanale lived on top of the mountain Friends from Bugisu called Wanale, Singokho or someone who likes chicken. The Baganda chose to name the mountain Nkokonjeru because of the many white chickens, Wanale reared. They assumed every inhabitant on the mountain reared white chicken,” narrates Mzee Moses Wakitonyi, an elder in Mutoto, Mbale
Wakitonyi says many of the mountain’s earliest inhabitants lived in caves. “There are many caves on the mountain, though people know only one. The early Bamasaba who called Wanale home dwelled in these caves. Wanale has 4 hills. Few people know about this too. A hike through a trail at the western end of the ridge will lead one to Khaukha cave, which is the most prominent cave of them all,” Wakitonyi says
Legend has it that Khaukha cave which is embossed with unique calligraphic inscriptions on its walls, has an ill fated water stream. Wakitonyi says the tale told of the stream is true. Many people thought it was an illusion until 4 men became lame when they crossed the stream. Nobody could explain how that happened. It was and is still a mystery,” Wakitonyi explains
The other wonders that Wanale offers are its many waterfalls. If you are a mountain recreationist, you will be spoilt for choice.
The beauty of Wanale’s waterfalls is unmatched.
Namatsyo waters falls for example, falls two miles down from the mountain top and submerges in rocky tunnels deep.
“The waterfall disappears down in the rocks under. It is completely obscured and immersed. The water reemerges and hits the surface from its underground pathway in villages like Bumboi and Mooni,” Wakitonyi states
HOW TO GET THERE
From the high court in Mbale, that is if you decide to walk, it is approximately 18 miles to reach Wanale.
To get to Wanale with a taxi or personal car, brace yourself for a 30-40 minute road ride.
Take a left turn road after the Mbale high court and follow the road that goes down to Busamaga Primary School.
On reaching the aforementioned Primary School, take a right turn, follow Bumboi road. Proceed along the main road.
From Busamaga Primary School, it will take one roughly 15-20 minutes to reach the peak of Wanale.
The other routes to the mountain top may be slightly risky, especially if one is making a maiden visit.

Accommodation
Enroute to Wanale, accommodation can be got at the nearby Elgon suites in Mango village.
It is on the highway as one heads to the Mountain top. Accommodation can also be got in senior quarters, Mbale.
If you love mountaineering or you are that person who just wants to have an aesthetic appreciation of nature, make it a point to visit this magnificent temple of nature.
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"A work of real merit finds favour at last" so runs an old adage.
There are places in Uganda however where artists/musicians, find little to no favour at all, however good their craft or music is. Longevity does not do them any favours as well.
“I have been working hard all these years to perfect my craft, but I have faced long odds. Making believers and fans out of people here in Bugisu is really tough. To be appreciated here, one has to patiently wait like they wait for raindrops in a harsh drought,” says 35 year old Mbale Musician Betty Nafuna Salima(R.I.P).

Music fans in Bugisu have long become a by word for undermining local talent.
"Mbale music fans are like broken reeds," States Samuel Doto Bonzo, a local music critic and audio producer.
Even if an artist is as real as the air people breathe in, they will get suffocated by the lack of support.
Venerable artists like The late Phillip Massa, Rashid Musoke, Idi Masaba, Tom Namanda {R.I.P}, Juliet Mugirya, Tom Weboya, Tshila and San Crazy receive very few to no laurels at all, during performances or during radio interviews.
Local music fans here are unreliable and not receptive at all, says Wakhetenge Peter, an Auditor and Local music aficionado.

Thinking of starting a music career in Bugisu, you had better give it every bit of your second thought. I have seen music careers in Bugisu take nose dives. I have observed many Bagisu musicians worthy of a name looking destitute, broke and out of sorts. It is as if musicians here are under some spell, States Fred Wazemba, another of Mbale’s Premier Audio producers/artists.
“The prize of failure can be huge. It is only in Mbale where local musicians are criminally unappreciated and held in the lowest of regards. Fans in Mbale are indelicate. Somebody invests his money, making good music but you trash him with no benefit of doubt. It is not out of the ordinary to witness local musicians been booed off stage. The contempt music fans here have for local artists is just unprecedented and so pathetic,” Wazemba notes.
Favour from local fans is what every established musician in Mbale has been waiting on for ages but have not got. “Look at Idi Masaba, Betty Nafuna Salima and San Crazy, three of Mbale’s best musicians. They are testament to that harsh reality. Masaba, Salima and Crazy sing a genre of local music that appeals and resonates with the lowest common denominators in Bugisu, but they hardly draw big crowds at shows they organize,” states Doto Bonzo.

As it seems, the apathy and lack of appreciation is handed down from the past. It is going to take a lot of time bidding before our local artists are fully appreciated for their work like the artists in Buganda, Bonzo states.
“It just seems like the disdain towards local artists is set in stone. It is something that has been going on for a long time. Breaking that jinx is going to be hard. Besides grappling with the local fan scorn, artists too have to grapple with the lack of radio air play,” explains Bonzo

Notwithstanding that, however, Bugisu principally Mbale, is brimming with thoroughbred musical talent. Pick of the bunch artists like Idi Masaba, Betty Salima Nafuna, San Crazy, Juliet Mugirya, Elukana Wanzala, K-mas, Tom Weboya, B.B Jimmy are all household names in their own right, despite the lack of support.
The harsh reality though is that they have very little to show for their efforts.
Idi Masaba whose claim to fame has mostly been Imbalu folk songs, has bore the harshest brunt of the local fan aversion.
“You can literally wipe a smile off your face meeting Idi Masaba in the street. He is supposed to be our Jose chameleon but yuck. I mean here is a guy whose music resonates with so many people in Bugisu but he is all disheveled and untidy. If he was a success, he would not be in such an ebb state,” Wazemba says
“Idi Masaba is by far, the best musician to emerge out of Bugisu. Go for shows he organizes and the ones, visiting Kampala artiste’s organize however to see how criminally unappreciated he is,” says Nsubuga Joseph, a Radio host on Signal F.M in Mbale.

In recent memory, Idi Masaba’s star tends to go in the ascendant during the Imbalu year. That is, by reason that his imbalu songs resonate well with people. It is also during Imbalu season that his songs get some fair share of rotation on some radio stations, Nsubuga adds

The blame storms have brewed for long but in my opinion, Mbale’s radio stations are the most culpable in denying local artists a chance to shine, Wazemba says
“Most radio hosts are half hearted in their support. They hardly give Lumasaba music any rotation. The focus is always on Luganda music. They have the music in their music libraries but for some reason, they do not play it. If they do play it, it is just for a few minutes,” Wazemba stresses

Idi Masaba says he wants to leave a musical legacy. A legacy he says is one that speaks to the fact that when one sings in the Lugisu local dialect, they can impact and strike a chord with many, even if it does not necessarily translate into financial gain.
“The most important thing is my music speaking to people’s souls. I create and sing Music that is timeless and therapeutic. Music that can one can draw inspiration from,” Masaba says

With a repertoire of timeless lugisu songs in the vault, Idi Masaba will surely win laurels one day.

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 It is decline of evening, the silence is deafening, the bird chirps dying down. Whilst the village kids frolic, deeply engrossed in their play time. Without a shadow of a doubt, this Village provides the best and widest view of that famous Mbale landmark-mountain Wanale.

It is said a traveler without observation is like a bird without wings. Was i about to be that bird? No, so i kept moving, whilst at the same time, my eyes cast about keenly observing. As i traverse further through Mango Village, Namalogo Parish, Bumboi, Mbale, my eyes bask in a glow, as they feast on lots of interesting sights and sounds. The pity however that later stares me In the face when I come across frail, disheveled and diseased 27 year old Waniaye Yassin threatens to ruin my hitherto placid and enjoyable sojourn. On the face of It, Waniaye is awkwardly emaciated. He is clearly out of sorts with a sickness that is eating away both his legs. Saddled with this depreciating Illness, one would assume, Waniaye Is out of humor and despondent. On seeing him, I thought he was a Kill joy.

Waniaye however Is a far cry from that and hardly fits that stereotype of a very sick person. 

“To me, despondency with my kind of condition and circumstances, Is only Ingratitude, the hope I have now will help me overcome my situation”, Waniaye asserts The Illness has not locked away Waniaye’s smile, nor has It deprived him of his cheerfulness, buoyancy, warm-heartedness and courtesy.

It Is all evident as Waniaye welcomes me with a crack of a smile, I can only describe as hale and hearty. What Is apparent Is Waniaye’s frailty and illness has not dampened his spirits. The physical fatigue that however has come with his illness Is discernible. As It seems, his body has expended a great deal of energy fighting the Illness.

What fragrance is to a fruit is what beauty is to Kyakondo water falls in Mbale. Seeing is believing and to all appearances, Kyakondo is splendour personified. Its beauty is clad in its amazing topography.

Shedding off this excess abdominal fat is going to be my highest priority from now on,” says 34-year-old Wilson Nambafu, a middle class Mbale urbanite. His belly bulge has got his folks and friends talking. “They all say I have ‘fallen in things’ (meaning life is good), yet this is far from the truth. My belly fat worries me because I could develop health problems in the future,” Nambafu says. Physician Fred Wamudenyi of Bumboi Health Centre in Mbale, says, whilst some amount of abdominal fat may be normal, excess belly fat is unhealthy. Health risks “Carrying extra fat around one’s midsection is not only unflattering in terms of appearance, but it also poses a huge health risk. Visceral abdominal fat, which gives most men apple-shaped beer belly appearances, is particularly dangerous because it releases inflammatory molecules into one’s body on a consistent basis,” he says. These inflammatory molecules, Wamudenyi points out, adversely affect the proper functioning of the heart and eventually infiltrate the liver. Wamudenyi says that a big waistline greatly increases the risk of developing heart disease, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis (a medical condition in which bones become fragile from loss of tissue), diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes, sleep disorders, various forms of cancer and other degenerative diseases.” “Men and women with a circumference of more than 40 inches around the waist run a higher risk of contracting the above conditions. The appropriate waist line should be 33 to 35 inches,” Wamudenyi notes. He adds that skin fold thickness around the midsection for teenage boys should be less than 3/5 inches and less than 1 inch for teenage girls. - See more at: http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1320846/belly-fat-start-life#sthash.2j7IPhqU.dpuf

I never knew my enjoyment of certain foods would come at a price, laments Simon Kuloba, a 36 year old Car Mechanic plying his trade in Mbale’s boisterous industrial area. “Soon after eating some foods, i experience pain, discomfort and an acidy feeling around my chest and upper abdomen. my productivity has steadily been going down. While many may dismiss it as a minor condition or more than just another uncomfortable inconvenience, Physician Steve Wantenyeli of Mukhuwa Health center, Mbale says heartburn acid reflux should not be treated lightly especially when it occurs frequently.
“Heartburn is a serious condition that should not be ignored. it affects 2 out of every 25 people in Uganda, at a rate of at least twice a week. digestive acids or bile in the stomach trigger heartburn by making contact with the lining of the esophagus.”
These digestive acids, Wantenyeli points out, are meant to stay in the stomach and not to go flow back to the esophagus.
“When digestive acids frequently go back to the esophagus, the delicate lining of the esophagus is slowly destroyed”.
Heartburn as a condition has nothing to do with the heart, Wantenyeli asserts. “It’s in effect a digestive problem that can lead to a more serious condition called barrett’s esophagus or cancer of the esophagus if a physician is not consulted.”
He adds that if heartburn is temporary, it can dealt with some simple dietary and lifestyle changes.
Dietian Omoding Samuel of Namakwekwe health clinic, Mbale stresses that if heartburn becomes chronic, it can lead to gastro esophageal reflux disease, disease he says occurs when acids from the stomach literally burn the esophagus(tube running from the throat to the stomach).

CAUSES
Heartburn occurs when people consume or partake on foods that are acid forming such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, fried and fatty foods, caffeine and garlic. Omoding states. “when highly acidic gastric juices from the stomach spurt up through one’s esophagus, irritation normally occurs,resulting in a pain (heartburn).”

Over eating, Omoding says is also one of the major causes of heart burn. “When one over eats, the stomach takes longer to digest the food resulting in stomach acid returning back up to the esophagus. This spawns an acidic reflux or heartburn”.
Some foods trigger heartburn more than others.
“If you partake on too much fast food, chocolate, consume to many fizzy drinks and combine these with either smoking or drinking alcohol, you increase your risk of developing heartburn” states omoding
Certain gastrointestinal disorders aggravate or make heartburn worse. physician Steve Wantenyeli says heartburn can be triggered off by a hiatal hernia which is where the stomach protrudes a little into the chest through the diaphragm.




SYMPTOMS

Dietian Omoding says factors such as age, lifestyle, family history and other medical conditions determine the severity of heartburn in most people.
In most cases however, many people experience the same symptoms as enumerated below.
• Pain caused by heartburn, Omoding says will be at varying levels. anywhere from your stomach upward, but most commonly in the throat.
This sporadic pain Omoding says can come and go or be constant, or be degenerate.
Where severe heartburn is experienced, the pain experienced by some people can be unbearable.
• A burning sensation caused by acids coming back up into the esophagus.
Omoding says the burning sensation comes in the form of a burp that gives a burning feeling.
• Heart burn Omoding says can make the throat become painfully sore with a burning sensation due to the constant aggravation of the stomach acids.




HEART BURN RELIEF TIPS

To steer clear of heartburn, Wantenyeli says, eat more frequently but in smaller portions. Overeating he says triggers heartburn. “try eating six smaller meals throughout the day. eating smaller portions enables your body to digest food more easily”.

To forestall heartburn, meals close to bed time should be avoided. Having one’s last meal about two to three hours before going to bed is important in stemming a heartburn tide, Wantenyeli adds.

Carrying excess weight around your middle section spells pressure on your stomach especially after eating.
This pressure, Wantenyeli says can eventually lead to or aggravate one’s heartburn condition.

Fried, greasy and fatty foods are foods one should stay away from as they cause or exacerbate heartburn.
Fats, Wantenyeli says weaken the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. As a consequence, stomach acids flow back up into the esophagus. This, at length, causes heartburn.

Over the counter acid reflux antacids can also be effective in alleviating heartburn.
“Antacid tablets like ranitidine, cimetidine, famotidine, and omeprazole magnesium are not only a good economical choice but therapeutic as well. if they are taken before bedtime, they come in handy in subduing heartburn. Wantenyeli stresses.

If you’re a smoker/drinker and suffer from heartburn more often, break your habit or cut down on alcohol or nicotine considerably.
Nicotine from cigarette smoke, Wantenyeli adds tends to irritate the lower oesophageal sphincter, which is a valve that stops stomach acids from rising up and irritating the esophagus.

Invariably keeping your head up, especially when eating, drinking or sleeping, can help subdue heartburn. Dietian Omoding Samuel says lying down 1 to 3 hours after eating and drinking increases the likelihood of heartburn occurring.
Another good remedy for that nagging heartburn can be got from your kitchen cabinet in the form of a tablespoon of both honey and apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water. Omoding says a few common kitchen spices like cinnamon, ginger or sage tea, as well as cardamom in baked goods or cereal, can aid with chronic heartburn.
Heartburn, Omoding asserts can also be cooled off with stomach soothing drinks like papaya, guava, pear, or mango juice. “aside of that, a cold glass of buttermilk and foods such as blanched almonds, brown rice, soda crackers, and apples can be helpful. regular intake of milk however should be avoided especially if one suffers from lactose intolerance.”


Try as much as possible to avoid carbonated drinks such as energy drinks or juices, soda coffee, wine, etc. Omoding says carbonated drinks contain phosphoric acid, which in the course of time,causes burping. burping he says sends stomach acid to the esophagus, possibly forming cancerous lesions. This reflex eventually causes heartburn.

Chewing gum especially that without peppermint and spearmint, Omoding says is another effective way of subduing heartburn acid reflux.
Chewing gum he adds contains baking soda which is a natural heartburn remedy
“Chewing gum for about half an hour, after a meal produces saliva that counteracts stomach acids. this prevents heartburn”.
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A few days ago, Jacob Wabuyi rose with the lark. He said a prayer and embarked on his journey, hoping to make it in time for his 9 o’clock Job interview at Housing Finance bank nearKololo Airstrip. Ill fatedly however, Jacob got caught up in an early morning traffic jam at Kubiri, just a stone’s throw away from Wandegeya. At length, Jacob arrived at Housing Finance but he had missed the interview. The ordeal left a depressing damper on Jacob’s spirits. Being prone to low feelings and depression from stressful experiences like Jacob’s is common place but the effects of stress on somebody, Doctor Andrew Bunoti, a Mbale based Stress Psychotherapist notes are dependent in part on his or her inherited strengths, weaknesses and physical condition.