By Bakampa Brian
Baryaguma
I was at the Kampala City Festival, on Sunday, 4th October, 2015. It was the third, organized annually by Kampala
Capital City Authority (KCCA), held under the theme, Our City. Our Celebration. Having missed the previous two, this
time round I was there, because I really had to be there to witness the
festivities for myself. I needed time and space to have fun, be extremely free,
and somewhat naughty. I really enjoyed the event, and I also look forward to
attending many others to come.
The festival provides
an opportunity for the people of Kampala and elsewhere, to celebrate, jubilate,
and take pride in their city. Judging from the prevailing mood yesterday, I
think these objectives are being realized. I learnt of the event’s occurrence at
about 7:30 pm of the night of Saturday, 3rd October, 2015, as I did
my laundry, and I determined that I had to be there this time round, since I long
desired to. I had many house chores and activities to do in the weekend, but I decided
to be done with them by early morning of the next day. I worked tirelessly, and
ended up sleeping at midnight. I woke up early Sunday morning, at 5:00 am, to
prepare the day’s food, and finish other household chores. Then, I went to
church, and on my return, ironed my clothes. At 3:00 pm, I set off for the
festival, and reached Kampala city center, the venue for the festival, at 3:45
pm.
There were many
entrances, but I entered via the Pioneer Mall / Mapeera House inlet that was heavily
manned by police, with walk-through metal detectors. I immediately bought a
customized festival cap to put me in a celebratory mood, which I am still
keeping as a souvenir. Then, I embarked on studying the reach and extent of the
festival, in terms of area covered, number and kind of people in attendance,
the activities carried on, leisure and entertainment, and the prevailing
security situation, among others.
I noticed that the
festival was primarily on Kampala road. It was interesting seeing this intensively
vehicle-jammed and extremely busy road – the whole stretch from the KCCA
fountain at Kampala Pentecostal Church (Watoto), near Fido Dido, all the way down
to Victoria University, near National Theatre – and all adjacent road junctions,
free of everything, but a mass of people. It was a remarkable tale of “from vehicle
jam to human jam.”
I observed that
the festival attracted no less than 500,000 people, of different races and
nationalities, various ages, diverse socio-economic and political backgrounds, all
with one common objective – enjoying themselves simply and easily. This
festival is apparently becoming a tourist attraction of sorts. It was amazing
how people were free with, and tolerant of one another, no matter what one did;
as long as, of course, one did not take this liberty beyond acceptable limits
like occasioning injury on another, or stealing another’s property. Whatever
one did for fun’s sake was graciously accepted, and taken happily. For example,
in the middle of the busy and tightly packed human traffic, I met two girls
walking in my opposite direction, one of whom was extremely naughty, dressed in
short and tattered jeans. She grabbed my hand and started rubbing it around her
forbidden fruit area as she made some erotic statements. I let her have her
moment of fame, until she let go. I was worried and scared however, because her
thigh-land was very cold. I imagined how terrible it must be for her visitors down
there. Later, I met another girl seated in the middle of the road (I think
after exhaustion), and I sat on her laps. She laughed heartily, pushed me off them
gently, and stood up, as other people nearby cheered us. I also met a chic with
such a well-endowed and juicy looking big ass, which she shook so nicely in
accordance with the rhythm of the sweet, sensational music, that I almost touched
it, had it not been for the Holy Spirit, which immediately possessed me, urging
me not to dare touch what her mama gave her.
There was a lot
of trade going on. A variety of goods and services were available for sale, and
many others for free. As expected, vendors were allowed to sell on the streets,
without being hunted by KCCA law enforcers. There were different foodstuffs –
both eats and beverages. Service providers especially, telecoms, were there
advertising and selling their items like phones. Even a blood donation exercise
went on, which tempted me to donate, but after quick deliberation in my mind, I
declined to do so, remembering that I came to have fun, and be somewhat wild, yet
I didn’t want to jeopardize this leisure moment, as I could easily collapse
after blood being taken out of my body. Then, I came across a tent where
HIV/AIDS counseling was done, and there was free condoms distribution too. I
was handed two packs of Life Guard condoms, which I took without objection. For
the benefit of the perverts, who I know are now having weird thoughts, I must clarify
that I only took them as souvenirs too. Lolest!!!
In terms of
leisure and entertainment, it was visibly clear that people really enjoyed
themselves to the maximum especially, me. There were different and many local
musicians, all entertaining people, free of charge. As usual and expected,
Ugandans did not disappoint on this front. I am glad that we, Ugandans, know
how to have fun, and enjoy ourselves. People devised and played all sorts of
games especially, those considered childish, and rather naughty-like. I
endeavoured to participate in as many games as I could. Men and women played kwepena (dear reader, I am sorry I don’t
know this game’s English name, and I highly doubt it has any), which is
traditionally a game for very young girls. I participated in one of the kwepenas whereby if one successfully
dodged all the balls targeted at him, he would pick all the condoms on the
ground, walk away with one of the girls busy dishing them, and return her after
they are over. Boys were also available for similarly successfully girls too. Unfortunately
for me, the first shot hit me, and I was out. I felt bad, because I wanted to
win and walk away with all of the girls present. I came across a small group of
boys and girls playing football at the point directly in front of Bank of
Baroda (it was the kind such as that I played with my Kigezi High School OBs
called karere). I joined them, and scored
the first goal. Then we passed a rule that if the ball passed between one’s
legs, he or she would not play again until either after touching a passer-by of
the opposite sex, or receiving a slap. I was the first to fall victim to this
rule, after the ball passed between my legs, and I chose to touch a girl, in
order for me to continue playing. I touched the upper arm of some nearby hot
babe, dressed in a cool, short white dress. That way, I was off the hook. She
and her friends came to gaze at us, and I substituted myself for her. I am the
perfect gentleman, you know.
Security was
tight, and people were very well behaved. For the time I was there, 3:45 pm –
7:00 pm, I didn’t witnessed any ugly scenes in form of violence, skirmishes, thefts,
accidents, or even arrests. Uganda Police, supported by KCCA law enforcers, a few
Military Police personnel, and private security operatives, ensured that
people’s lives and properties were safe. I therefore, commend these security
agencies, and Ugandans, for being vigilant and disciplined thus achieving truly
successful celebrations.
I commend KCCA
leadership, under Lord Mayor Lukwago Erias, and Executive Director Musisi
Jennifer, for this wonderful initiative. KCCA deserves our cooperation and
should be enabled to continue organizing similar celebrations in the future. To
my mind, there are many possible ways in which we can assist KCCA, but the best
form of appreciation we can give the Authority is taking pride in, and
cooperating with it to further implement its programs. There are simple basics,
for instance, paying promptly all due taxes and other charges, avoiding
littering and dirtying the city, keeping away from all protected green areas
like the grass, shunning illegal trading, and generally giving city authorities
the benefit of doubt for them to be able to fully and effectively implement
their mandate.
We should also
help to publicize this event, so as to make it a tourist attraction in itself,
by informing and encouraging our friends, relatives, and citizens of other
countries, to always attend it. That way, we shall attract foreign revenue in
our country. Kampala City Festival
oyeee!
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