Requiescecat in pace.
Hoods is truly an amazing artist. For more info on him and the Ivuka Arts Center Uganda project, visit his website here.
(The cheesy flier was made by me 
and in no way reflects the talent of the artist.)
More news on the arts scene in Kampala can be found on Sophie Alal’s interesting (but sadly rarely updated) blog, The Stray Bullet. Visit her here and welcome her to the blogren, will you?
Patience is procrastination without the anxiety.
- Harry Pearce; Spooks, Season 6
Explains why I’m not a registered voter.
Indépendance cha cha tozui e
Oh! Kimpuanza cha cha tubakidi
Oh! Table Ronde cha cha ba gagné o
Oh! Dipanda cha cha tozui e
Happy 50th independence, dear Congo. It’s been a lousy half-century, but considering how far you’ve fallen, things can only get better.
I’m writing my last will and testament. This is why.
It’s 7:00 a.m. About three hours ago, burglars attempted to break into my house.
I heard the rustling outside my living room window, harsh whispers and the ominous sound of scrapping of metal against metal. I jumped out of bed and as fast as I could, picked up my weapon of choice: an old broken aluminum pan and a wooden spoon.
Aaahhh. Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Aaaahhh! Aaaahhhh! BAM!
The noise so startled the burglars that they dropped their saw and fled over my wall.
Martin, my trusty watchman, was all the while locked in my garage, sound asleep. Read the rest of this entry »
Click here for more info on Ismael Kateregga and his work.
Baring My Teeth
Posted: June 24, 2010 by tumwijuke in Femininity, Feminism, Ridiculousity, Sexism, Uganda
Vagina. Let’s just say it, see it and get it out of the way.
The ‘big’ news of the week, as you already know, is Rape-aXe, the condom with teeth. Rape-aXe was created by South African mother-of-two Sonette Ehlers as an anti-rape devise and will be available for purchase later this month.
The feminist movement around the world has condemned Rape-aXe for being “vengeful, horrible and disgusting.” They say it doesn’t empower women or protect boys and men from sexual assault. For me, the jury is still out.
While I’m glad for anything that will protect me against rape, something within me recoils at the stereotypes it may reinforce. You know, those stereotypes that make the vagina powerful, but too powerful to love. Those that say it is a thing to fear and dread.
Maybe I’m over-thinking things. Read the rest of this entry »
My heart sings.
In March 2008 I wrote a review of Waris Dirie’s book, Desert Rose. The book was appalling. However after being called an idiot and my review ‘vain and vapid’ I decided to give it a second look. As I read it, I wondered how it is possible that a really bad book could get worse.
Some of the responses to my review completely missed the point. I am passionate about the anti-FGM campaign. I just think Dirie and her co-author scooped the worst from the bottom of the literary pile to create a fantastical story in an attempt to glamorize an ugly truth.
Anyway, I felt vindicated by this comment, posted on the Ugandan Insomniac by the publisher of Desert Rose last week. Read the rest of this entry »
Got Boobs? Leave them at Home on Voting Day
Posted: June 23, 2010 by tumwijuke in Feminism, Not politics, Uganda, WomenYesterday I had the (dis)pleasure of meeting (again) the leader of one of Uganda’s main opposition parties.
Mr. X beamed at me as I introduced myself to him (for the hundredth time). He shook my hand heartily, asked me about my father The Rev and told a long winding story about how his family knew my mother’s family and the good old times and oh hohoho how great it was.
Then Mr. X gave me one of those patronizing side hugs and a little push to send me on my way.
“Excuse me Mr. X, I am Tumwijuke, remember? I called you everyday last week seeking an appointment for an interview.”
“You are Tumwijuke?” he said looking puzzled, “You sounded like a man on the phone.”
Great. That explained the side hug, the infuriating grin smile and the shove.
This is a picture of boobs. Read the rest of this entry »
