ANNA MBABAZI (1954-2009): A TRIBUTE

Dear Mom,

This afternoon we stand before you in grief and sadness because you are no more. You lived a rather long life but at 55, for us it had just begun. Now you are gone and left us with just memories – precious memories. We loved and treasured every moment you were here with us – from the time you brought us forth into this world many years ago till the very minute you breathed your last. And now it seems just like a dream – a terrible dream. You were the best mom in the world. You did all you could to make sure we had a life to live. You taught us to be smart, confident and content with the little or much that we had. You taught us the value of education and made sure we went to school. You taught us to respect ourselves as a way of earning the respect of others.

We shall always remember you as tough but as extremely loving, compassionate and a hard working woman who always woke up so early to go about your duties and chores. You taught us the meaning of sacrifice - because you sacrificed all you had to make sure we became what we are today.

You have gone too soon. So soon. Sooner than we ever thought. We wish God gave you a second chance. Maybe you could have lived to see more of your grand children and great grand children. We wish you were still here a little longer so we could make your old age the best it could be.
But it’s all just a wish – because God has called you home – free from the pain the world has to offer. The pain that was written all over your face on that hospital bed. And in the words of the Reverend Martin Luther King:

“You are free at last. Thank God Mom you are free at last”

We will always love you. ALWAYS.

Olivia, Prim and Edgar

Thursday December 17 2009

Kampala Taxi Thieves. Be Ware!

Now you really want to read this. After a week of mourning and pinching myself, i can finally say its time i let you in on the events of Sunday last weekend. You remember i told you how i was excited at the prospect of the beckoning weekend. Well, as i turned out it wasn't that interesting. On the fateful day, i walked as usual to the taxi stage near home (Sir Apollo Kaggwa road Road). It was fast approaching church time (12 O'clock Service) and i didn't want to miss out on the praise and worship jams at Watoto Church. For those of you who have been at KPC-turned- Watoto...being late for close to a minute means relegation to the over flow! And to be honest i don't think i quite like it there.

Time check: 11:30Am. I had just got rather unpleasant news that very sunday morning regarding mom's health (did you remember to pray for her?). So i was naturally quite upset and rather engrossed in deep thought. It didn't dawn on me that the approaching taxi had goons lying in wait for my prized possessions. "Ongenda?"(Are you going?), the "tout" asked. Of course i was otherwise why would i be parading myself on a dusty Kampala road moreover in sweltering mid-day heat? There were three men behind and two in front (including the driver). I got to the front seat just next to the door and apparently i realised that very door couldn't properly "close". Any body knowing where this is leading to? I bet you do because these fellas play the same old trick time and again and it still works sad to say! i fidgeted with the door trying hard to make it close. The "conductor" was resilient in offering me "help" and "technical assistance" by telling me how to pull the door, where to hold and not hold. Then the guy next to me played the "support" role by practically showing me how to get the damn door closed. Unbeknown to me, as all this hussle went on, the man beside me in front was stealthilly pulling out my wallet and phone. These guys are experts at what they do. I DIDN'T feel a single thing! As soon as they got what they wanted a "miracle" happened. The door closed!And then..out of nowhere in a split second, the driver asked. "Mpozi Ssebo Ongenda mutawuni?" (Sir you mean you are going to town?) "What the heck! Thats pretty obvious", i almost yelled. But then i didmissed this swift turn of events because the goons explained they were going to Mulago to pick a departed one from mortuary!Oh really? I wish i had asked myself that while still in the vehicle because soon after i was out and waiting by the road side for another town bound taxi.

11:45 Am. the breaking news. I slowly slide my hands to my pockets and it hits me hard like a heavy weight boxer's punch. Gone was my cell phone, my wallet and all those things we keep in wallets, you know - ATM cards, cash,photos, business cards...and this time my house keys as well. Doom. Gloom. I almost had a black out. The taxi was out of sight by the time i came to my senses.

And then something happened. I soon after wards felt a divine kind of peace sweeping over me. He was right there telling me, "Son it's going be alright. This too shall pass". I believed him and it is slowly but surely passing on to the confines of history. God has given me twice as much as the locusts stole and destroyed from me. Remember the scripture in Joel?

Have a lovely (theft-free) weekend!

The Come Back Kid

I find friday's particularly interesting. And as for mondays..well..thats for another post! Back to to Friday. Cool. And its really cool outside here. Kampala's sky line is clear and there is this lovely breeze sweeping through office. There is even more reason to bask in the "Friday Factor". This week hasnt been any easy so to say. I just couldnt find my groove. You know those days when stuff doesnt really shift, eh? But God has given me the grace to live to see another day. And i aint complaining. A miracle of life. That is what he gives to each one of us. And that's a miracle enough for me. Let me ask thee: Have you ever had a stroke of doubt cutting through your little human mind regarding the very existence or ability of God? Im a witness! And in such times i have realised you don't need a "big" miracle from on high to jolt you out of your unbelief and faithlesness. Just look at the wonder of God's creation around you. That is all you need buddy. And if you ever fail to find something to thank God for, don't fail to give thanks for the air you just breathed in. Remember life is too short. So live it. Love it. Sounds philosophical?????

Folks i made 25 on October 23 (it was a friday..ho ho!!). That is no mean feat! A good friend of mine made me some really cute cake and hmmmm.. yummmy....oh how yummy it was! Will bring you the picture shots very soon right here on 'The Edgar Xperience'. Now that im a quarter century old, its high time you began to "respect" me a little bit more, huh? Im kidding!

Mama hasnt been well. Please join me in prayer for her. She is called Ann (or Anna if you are 50 plus!) Thank you!

On the professional side, im currently doing research in MIS and EDRMS. You probably have no idea about those acronyms if you majored in Food Science at college. Never mind! Afterall, food will always come on top...atleast as far as men are concerned! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ..

Lovely Weekend

For lack of a proper subject....

The past month has probably been the busiest on record this year. From the moment i open my eyes to the break of a new day, task after task after task..i could go on - it all just seems to roll on in real time and you can imagine how worked up i am. Well, the good news is today happens to be Friday.This weekend i want to just sit (and sleep) back and unwind. Its probably going to be the first Saturday i wont be in office in as many months. The downside is Kampala saw its most chaotic day yesterday this year or lets say in many years. Sand witched in my office yesterday by a cocktail of tear gas and flying tones, Thursday September 10 2009 is for sure a day to remember. Thank God i was not unfortunate enough to be caught up in the fracas. Some how i safely made it home last evening. Of course the press cops had a real field day and this morning daily news papers were awash with story after story of yesterday's infamous riots. Sitting on the 5th floor of Queens Chambers here at the heart of Kampala, i could say its relatively back to normal save for a few bullets ripping through the air this morning.And mom just cant stop calling just to make sure i am safe!

Hoping all hell doesn't break loose this evening because it appears people left work earlier today than usual.

To be real i have "abandoned" this blog for long and i need to get my groove back. Talking of my long absence, alot has happened of late and i often longed to pen it all down here. The King of Pop died, Megrahi was released (the Lockerbie convict), Otunnu is back in the hood ( i hear the fella is single!!), Arsenal was 'robbed' by Man U, inter Alia.

But all i want to do now is go home, sip a cup of coffee, munch pop corn, read a good book...yes and watch a nice movie coz life is too short!

FARE THEE WELL TO THE KING

Hats off! And watch this space for a tribute to the true King of Pop...coming soon...exclusive to the XPerience.

Adieu Micky

A week that is

Probably by the time you read this, i will quietly be sleepin' away...far way..far from the madding crowd (according John Hardy!). This is typical me - stayin up when others are in dreamland, stickin in when the rest are stickin out, hangin in when others and hangin out and...keepin around the workplace when the rest of the folk are scampering to get home. No wonder some one once accused me of "doing things in reverse"..ha ha ha ha ha ha ah !!!! Yes..and im not complaining. Somehow a man has got to go an extra mile..wake up a little earlier (now i really have to work on this!), work a little harder, and stay a little later. Brian Tracy in his blockbuster of a book, 100 unbreakable Laws of Business Success taught me this universal law of life. Now yours truly aint wastin no time workin it out. Wish me luck if u want too. Asta la vista..baby!(do i remind you of Dr. DoLittle or Anold Schwazzenegger in Terminator?!!)

 

Today i emailed a friend telling them how ive found it so far working in a public entity. Well, its interesting. Anything to do with Information management rocks ma world and im quite excited. Legal information is dynamic and im now devising automation schemas for one of the registries. Last night i had to stay up late working on  a suitable methodology approach. But i guess it was worth it. Somehow i now have an idea on how the prototype should look like.

 

Its not all been roses though. And this for a number of reasons.

NO. 1: i have to wake up earlier than usual to beat the mornin jam in Wandegeya and Kampala road. And since i work along Jinja road the taxis empty at city square and i have to wait for them to fill (en route to Kireeka, Mukono, bla bla) so that they drop me at Nandos from where i connect to MoJCA.All this time..in a taxi. Before, it took about 5 minutes and nw...talk of close to 30!

NO 2: the food. this is not to say its bad. Not really. actually it be nice but...yes u already know! im talking about the price tag! 90% more than i used to pay for and hey dont u forget the credit crunch is stil hovering over us.

NO 3: Nw this has been "solved" but i will nevertheless fill u in. Nw next to my office is this other office i happened to get into now and again and ofcourse afterwords i would apologize to the secretary for straying. Funny!

 

"Problems" aside, a colleague in the information trade has invited me to give a workshop presentation on electronic records management to a group of information professionals this friday at Protea Hotel here in Kampala. Can't wait!!

 

 

And now..the BREAKIN' NEWs

Hello.

The EdgarXperience announces that after 1 year and 3 months at Makerere University, i will begin working with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (*GoU) here in Kampala with effect from Monday May 17, 2009.


* Government of Uganda