The female tout

This week I boarded a taxi whose tout was female. She was a strong dark beauty with a flawless skin and sparkling white teeth. She was wearing a black t-shirt, navy blue jeans and black canvass shoes. Her hair was retouched and tied back in a ponytail. Overall she was casually dressed but exceedingly smart. And she went about her job meticulously.

It was a whole new experience for me. It was the same for other passengers judging by their keen interest in and response to her. It was this interest that got me noticing how different this taxi was compared to other taxis with male conductors. 

Firstly it was very clean inside with a measure of freshness that gave the impression of the newness of the taxi yet it was not new. The seat covers were evidently old, but no problem as they were well-scrubbed. No chance for lice or the irritating bedbugs that inhabit most taxis on our roads. The seats were also firmly in place, and very comfortable, not the shaky squeaky seats that make travelling by most of our taxis a gruesome affair. 

This female conductor was also different in that when she was given a big note, she returned the change instantly. She was not like those slippery male touts who when given a big note wait ages before returning your change, and in worst case scenarios shamelessly deny having received any money from the passenger. 

This female tout was practically kind too. She helped a nursing mother by carrying her child until the mother was well-sat.

I learned that doing your job well pays well. This female conductor's diligence attracts favour like a magnet pulls iron. In Wandegeya her taxi filled up quickly while others were left empty fighting for passengers.

Many passengers tipped her in appreciation of her good work and sunny disposition. I also gave her a tip and thanked her for setting the bar high as a conductor. I pray we get many more such female conductors in our taxis.

Keeping hope alive

Hope deferred made my heart sick on Tuesday when that early Muhammed Salah goal dethroned us from the summit of Group E. However being the bustling optimist that I am, I didn't stay little boy blue longer. I shook myself like a leaf and believed anew that all things are still possible.

You see I've cherished the day I'll watch live or through a telecast the Uganda Cranes playing in the Fifa World Cup. The Russia 2018 dream is so close to materializing if you are the optimist, yet so far from being fulfilled if you are the pessimist. But I pray you join me to live by the Yogi Berra mantra that it is never over until it is over. We may have lost in Egypt but we have the potential of winning our two remaining fixtures, but this will only be delightful when Egypt slip up in theirs. Well, let's keep believing for hope never disappoints.

 Qualifying for the 2018 World Cup would be the best thing to happen to a country where everything else is shambolic. For once we would forget about the lackadaisical affairs of this nation. Seeing our boys donning the national jerseys would ignite a fire in us all. We would begin to dream again; really big dreams, and to walk with our chests held out. We would for once unite with pride and watch with joyful hearts as our boys step out on the field to compete with the big boys. 

 We would cease to envy Kenya whose own Victor Wanyama is the engine of the Tottenham Hotspur midfield. Playing at the World Cup would open doors for some of our boys, and oh that would only be the beginning! How wonderful it would be to see Denis Onyango manning the Arsenal goal posts instead of Petr Cech! 

Uganda is a great nation that has been messed up by those with Ph.Ds in the art of mismanaging society -- the politicians. Believe me the turning point for our nation is not going to be orchestrated by a politician but will come from something with the sheer force of unification such as soccer, and featuring in the Fifa World Cup, to be precise. 

Proverbs 13:12 says hope deferred  makes the heart sick but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. I remain optimistic that the Uganda Cranes will qualify for Russia 2018 and we shall devour the fruits that will accrue from that qualification. 

Shades of success

To many success revolves around having a lot of money in a bank and in assets that guarantee consistent cash flow. That way they can afford living in their dream houses, driving their dream cars, piloting their private jets or cruising in their own yachts, travelling the world, taking their children to prestigious schools, and so fourth. To some of these people it doesn't matter how their money is accumulated; all that matters to them is having more than enough to afford their dream lifestyles and leave a huge inheritance to their children and children's children.

 To others success is not so much about having stashes and stashes of money in foreign banks as it is about helping the needy. People behind most charity organisations channel all their energies in giving a chance to the suffering lot. The Rotarians, Red Cross and World Vision people and those running orphanages draw their meaning out of touching lives and dispelling darkness with the light of love. Mother Teresa remains a huge inspiration to these people. 

Then there are those to whom success is all about scaling academic heights, making new inventions, discovering the cure for HIV/Aids for example, exploring uncharted territories, breaking records in sports; being inducted in various Halls of Fame or entering the Guinness Book of Records.  These are the curious lot and they work pretty hard to set new precedence; for that's what makes them feel useful and successful.

Finally some measure success in terms of their religious beliefs and dispensations. To them nothing else matters except living a life that is pleasing to their Creator. Such people are morally disciplined, and though some fall by the wayside others rise up with greater determination every time they fall. Like Jesus telling His disciples not to be happy because the demons heed their commands, but to be happy only because their names are written in the book of life, these people seek success that is eternal; their words, thoughts and deeds are meant to have them ushered in Heaven when they finally give up their ghosts.

What is success to you?

Shy plant, the sparrow and the lily of the field

I first encountered shy plant in the compound of our rich neighbour when I was still a little boy. Every little touch would make the plant bow down in contrite manner, and when left alone it would unfold back to life with freshness. It's only lately that I learnt about the science behind the closing and opening of that shy plant whose botanical name is " Mimosa pudica", also known in plain English as "humble plant".

The intelligence of humble plant is amazing. It's often found in areas deficient of nitrogen because that's where it can tap its food. And do you know what it feeds on? Insects! That's right. When a small insect lands on top of its leaves, it suddenly closes; trapping the insect, until the poor insect dies. Then the plant extracts nitrogen from the protein material of the said insect, that's how it's able to thrive.

Shy plant. Internet photo

The sparrow is another deeply interesting creation. I grew up in Kabale where they came in many shades of the finch birds. These are the smallest of the bird species but more exciting than their chirpy music and colourful plumage is the intricate design of their nests. In Jesus' time these birds were so undervalued that two sparrows sold for a mere copper coin yet the creativity and the heart with which they craft and decorate their nests to the last detail would shame a typical Ugandan architect and interior designer. 

Meanwhile people talk about a rose, a red one particularly but have you taken time to observe the colour and look of the lily? It was not easy to impress Jesus Christ yet the lily of the field did so effortlessly. He talks about it glowingly in the gospels, gushing about how even King Solomon with all his wisdom and splendor could not come close to smartness compared to how the lily arrayed. 

For me the humble plant, the sparrow and the lily of the field are little things that make me ruminate. You think about the quiet intelligence that is thoroughly applied to their daily living, and you are profoundly humbled.

Born a superstar

The big man, Usain Bolt, has finally bowed out of racing but what a man he was! Who can ever forget his lightening dashes on the track! But you know what's amazing? It is that his secret was simple. His secret was his massive self-belief.

"I like to do things people have never done before because it sets you apart from everybody else," he was quoted saying. No one can say such without a deeply-ingrained belief that he carries the DNA of super champions. Once you have that belief the law of attraction concedes with such ferocity; making manifest in the physical what you conceived and believed in your innermost. 

 This is the surpassing secret of all super, superstars. Boxing fans are waiting with bated breath the upcoming contest between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor.  Both men have always seen themselves as the revelation of the boxing game with McGregor saying he has always dreamt so much so clearly, so precisely and so frequently about reigning as a pugilist, whilst Mayweather is persuaded he is the best fighter on any planet and he means every word. 

It assuredly pays huge dividends to believe in yourself. And why not? After all you won the toughest, stiffest race to fertilize the egg leading to the living reality that is you. So why should you shrivel and give up the fight because of a few of life's hard knocks? Why should you become a shrinking violet; settling for less yet you were created to shine more than the stars? 

I encourage us today to believe more in our abilities and capacities because the opportunities and possibilities are endless. Dig new wells if the old ones have been clogged with the earth by the haters, and don't stop digging, don't slow down in your quest, rise above the contentions and continue the fight until you sit on the throne. Here many people will be looking up to you, others will be seeking to knock you down and out. So you must work even harder because there's always room for advancement, in fact we begin to die the moment we think there's nothing left to achieve.

The power of preparation

For soccer lovers there's excitement in the air as the new season of the English Premier League just kicked off. No longer are our weekends going to be slow. Betting companies are also rubbing their hands with glee at the thought of all the money they are going to make from betting freaks looking to get rich quick.

All that ties in well with the principle of success that I'm using football to explore. The principle is preparation. Pre-season matches have been on-going as coaches of big and small clubs test the strength of their squads. But the biggest preparation has been in clubs spending a lot of money buying the most talented players from Europe's best leagues albeit holding on to their own talismans. The league is very, very competitive and punitive, so you ignore the transfer window at your own peril. 

 The diligence and fervency with which clubs prepare for the new season in a bid to be declared champions at the end, has a whole lot to teach us about life. Nothing ought be left to chance. Success has to be prepared for physically, socially, economically, religiously and psychologically. You look at all the rich and successful people and think they are just lucky but the truth is they prepare and work harder than the average people. As someone said, success can only happen when luck meets thorough preparation. 

Preparation is so important because it brings order, purpose and inspires confidence in the pursuit of our dreams. If you have not fulfilled half the resolutions you made at the beginning of this year, it's time to take stock and prepare early for the coming year to achieve prominently. 

 Otherwise I'm excited that the side I love, Arsenal, prepared well for the new season. During preseason several boys in the reserve team got their chance and showed flashes of magic. We also strengthened at the back and upfront with quality signings, so I don't see any side stopping us this time!!

Micho’s optimism

As a soccer fan, I am saddened that Micho was forced by circumstances to terminate his contract with Fufa. He was the most optimistic coach Uganda ever had. With him it would not have surprised me to see Uganda Cranes qualifying for World Cup 2018. It really is true that what you perceive and conceive with all your heart you achieve. At his last press conference he said he was sure Uganda Cranes was going to qualify for World Cup and now that he is out of the picture you can never be sure. 

Nevertheless we can do better by clinging to his optimism; the optimism that surpasses ability; the wave of which the national team rode on to finally qualify for Afcon. The players were won over by the faith Micho had in each one of them and it is with that faith that they ordered the mountain that had for 39 years stood in their way of qualification to be uprooted and hurled into the sea! 

It's also because of Micho's optimism; his belief that wrong things can be fixed that he lasted four years under a shambolic supervisor that Fufa is. But even an eternal optimist will not allow to be taken for granted. Optimists are not afraid to make tough decisions, because they know that life goes on. They are not frightened by the closing of one door because they know somewhere another door is opening. When Rwanda sacked Micho in 2013, a door opened for him in Uganda. Now that Fufa disrespected him by seeking to make him beg for his wages, he had to move on to apply himself where his services will be more valued. 

I wish you all the best, Micho, thank you for the affability that was without spot. And thank you for teaching us about practicable optimism whose sheer power is boundless. Just as you said Ugandans will always have a very, very important suite in your heart, you will always occupy a special place on our heart of hearts.