Age ain't nothing but a number

When an old gentleman of about 70 took his time withdrawing money from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), a man in the queue shouted with unmistakable rudeness at the "oldie" to hurry up. It was another case of seniority being denigrated than venerated.

Age ain't nothing but a number

I'm a true country boy that spent part of my boyhood with grandma. The times shared in the hot sun breaking the dry earth with small hoes as she told me stories of my heritage and of courageous men defending their households to the point of death, are the most cherished. And from the village elders, I learnt about defining the terms of one’s existence pragmatically and of true country chivalry that had long held folks together. And so continued my reverence of elders.

That's why it disturbs me that everywhere I turn, I see elders being treated like evil people. In the developed world, the elderly are valued. In newsrooms, in universities as in other offices, those at the helm are usually the elderly, on account of their experience.

Back here, there is this "moving on" phenomenon whereby a "sane" person is not expected to work in the same place for more than 10 years. Else they are reminded how they have overstayed and are finally hounded out. I have seen it happen, especially in our newsrooms. And it pretty much has everything to do with the degenerating quality. The "old guard" who has done it all and seen it all is becoming extinct. How sad.

Remember how Hoima Municipality MP, Henry Kajura, got it rough with the vetting committee after being appointed as the Minister of Public Service? It was the same story for 3rd Deputy Premier Gen. Moses Ali. The Committee mocked their advanced age and asked the president for "fresh persons." And one newspaper lapped up the story, labeling the duo of being "" Ali, who in his 70s is as robust as a fighter bull, chose to wax the wisdom that comes with age by replying, "They said I’m old but I said I thank God for my age."

Let the elders pay for their howlers not for merely being old. English theologian and evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791) preached every day aged 88, and President Robert Mugabe at 88 retains his tenacity and revolutionary zeal. As the late R&B sensation Aaliyah, crooned, age ain't nothing but a number.

Lessons from the English Premier League 2012

It was not about Manchester City's climactic win over QPR and Manchester United's early celebrations turning to tears, but the lessons I learned from the crunch day, that made my Sunday night.

Once again, it was all about belief. Soccer pundits say this season's Man-U was the worst team Sir Alex Ferguson has coached in decades, but thanks to an undying mentality, it reached the top where its fate was only sealed by a better goal advantage from its rival. Man-U has a tradition that is decades old – a tradition of knowing every game counts and of playing with their hearts to the last whistle.

The 2012 Champions

Then Man-City showed us what role hunger plays in the success equation. After 44 years of waiting, the club's longing for the trophy was so intense that, as D. Gumisiriza Mwesigye surmised, it "grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat" with two quick goals in the dying minutes to become champions. That is how badly they wanted it.

This is the kind hunger and self-belief that will take you to the top. If you have a definite goal and truly believe you are destined to do mighty exploits, or even rule the world, nothing can stop you. In his book Master Key to Riches, Napoleon Hill puts it beautifully, "If you have your heart fixed on what you want, there is nothing I can do to stop you from getting it."

Man-U was already celebrating while Man-City was still trailing QPR in extra time. But in two minutes, everything had changed. It proved to me when something seems so far away it actually is very near. That is why in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, you must never give up. Instead, push harder like a woman in labour for the joy to follow is always unforgettable.

Finally, it is true that patience does pay. Man-City had to wait a whopping 44 years to get the trophy again. Were you once a winner but today you struggling? Man-City had to be sold off and reinvented through better and hungry players who achieved symbiosis through a smart coach. You might need a reinvention of sorts too; maybe you need to read new books, travel or make partnerships that will help you find your groove again.
One thing for sure, we do not want to die without exploiting our God-given genes of greatness.

Fighting for your cake

The Optimist has not morphed into a political pundit but cannot help adding two cents worth on the episodic battle between Singh Katongole and Moses Kasibante over the Rubaga North parliamentary seat.

Kasibante - the people's choice

I'm thinking Kasibante is still delirious with joy after getting reinstated by the Court of Appeal as the true winner. Katongole has meanwhile refused to back down and is vowing to proceed to the Supreme Court. He must love Yogi Berra’s famous adage: "It ain't over 'till it’s over!"

It's a funny drama, but significantly, is what it has to teach us about life and human behaviour; how easy is it to lose disgracefully, and how exploiting the foibles of men can help you fly like an eagle to greatness.

If Katongole was a shrewd politician with honest ambitions for his electorate, he would have conceded defeat in the first round and returned to the drawing board ready to bounce back in 2016 for it was obvious from the word go that Kasibante whose voice was familiar through his radio shows on CBS and who did not have his rival's financial muscle and 'high and mighty' political connections was the people's choice.

Singh lost disgracefully

Did Katongole's claque at the Electoral Commission really expect their man to survive after defying a court order to stop the recount on the basis of its illegality? The last time I checked it had a boomeranging effect, for as the "learned gentlemen" can testify "contempt of court" is abominable and cannot go unpunished.

Even then, it was not going to be easy for Kasibante. But beneath his easy demeanour is a warrior who won the test of patience by shock-absorbing intimidation and refusing to give leeway to any deterrents in his quest for justice.

In the opposite corner, a bullish Katongole threw tantrums, at one time going for Erias Lukwago's neck in so undignified a manner that it was easy to understand why the people of Rubaga could not trust him. Then, his potbelly and glossy lips give him a spitting image of a gourmand that makes you want to think that in parliament he would have worried over his stomach first before the needs of his people.

I guess the point of the story is that learning to lose honourably is essential if we are to go up the rungs. And those who, through effort and dedication, fight unfair processes will be rewarded. That is why you should not envy Kasibante while he enjoys his cake.

Why I signed the true-love-waits card

The subject of sex has never ceased to rouse interest. And the question of abstinence ignites some of the most passionate responses. In this day of pornographic literature flooding the streets and the internet; of vibrant night clubs without strident restrictions; of parents busy chasing the quick buck than raising their children, and church leaders focusing on the prosperity gospel than inspiring us to live blameless lives; many believe it's impossible to refrain from fornication.

Nevertheless some are leading sexually pure lives. At a recent abstinence campaign, I watched hundreds of youths signing true-love-waits cards. The card reads: "Believing that true love waits, I make a commitment to God, myself, my family, my country, my friends, my future mate, and my future children to be sexually pure until the day I give myself only to my marriage partner in a covenant marriage relationship."

No doubt some will stumble but being the optimist, I choose to focus on those that will keep the promise and live up to the challenge of taking purity into consecrated marriage that gives them the license to enjoy unrestrained sex with their spouses. I too signed the true-love-waits card after a girl known to me got pregnant. Faced with rejection from her boyfriend, she quit university to suffer alone. And she was the stronger type because she chose to keep her baby where others sometimes lose their lives in the process of abortion.

And I'm saying from experience that with sex-refusal skills, it's more than possible to live without the bother of sexual urges. In fact, it's such a beauty to discover the power of self-discipline and restraint, and so liberating to be the captain of your life and lead a sober life away from wrong influences and risky behaviour like premarital sex, drug abuse, gambling and alcoholism.

The condom has been tested and found wanting. Now circumcision is being associated with reduced chances of getting infected with HIV/Aids. But the real deal that even has the endorsement of heaven is abstinence for the unmarried, and faithfulness for the married. It's on the basis of these that Uganda was once a success story against HIV/Aids.
Anyway, when you do see me bumping along the streets of Kampala donning a T-shirt with an inscription, 'It's Cool to Abstain', know it is, and join me in leading responsible lives for the good of us and the world.

To the baring women of Uganda

Dear daring baring women of Uganda. The quickness with which you are stripping is bothering me. What happened to our long-cherished value system of covering-up?

The women that threw their boobs into the faces of policemen

First it was in Amaru district where you bared your privates in protest of certain chunk of land being given away to an investor. Other women picked the cue and threw their boobs into the faces of Kayihura's uniformed men to display their fury over the way these men mishandled Ingrid Turiname.

And I'm thinking that no matter how dreadfully provoked you've been, it's scandalous to strip before your children and heaven in the public arena. When the Adam and Eve discovered their nudity after messing up, they hurried to string some fig leaves together and cover up. That was not even enough to erase the shame, prompting God to make more covers for them out of animal skins.

Dear mothers and sisters, do you want us cursed the way Ham of the Bible was when he watched his father's nakedness? Where can we find asylum of this exposé of your breasts. What precedence are you setting to the innocent little girls out there by subjecting them to your breasts?

Now I'm even afraid of going online because the Internet is flooded with pictures of your bare breasts and coarse jokes are doing the rounds. What happened to self-respect and restraint? When did two wrongs ever make something right?

The modern-day girl has remained a rude curiosity and a butt of lewd coinages because of her indecent dressing. In fact, a recent Facebook photo shows some young Ugandan women in bras and g-strings at a cocktail party, their eyes hidden behind big-rimmed shades. And if you the supposed mothers of the nation behave like these lost girls, Lord have mercy.

No disrespect but there's need for you to visit the confession box and repent with broken hearts because the stain left by your strip show will take long to be washed away. We need decency and sanity back. There are surely better ways of hammering the point home and flaunting your nudity for all and sundry is not one of them.

I say again, however dreadfully provoked, we must not lose control as to descend to the level of the provocateur. With a better approach coupled with the ammunition of prayer, the hoodlums that are disgracing our police uniform will eventually be brought to justice and redemption shall reign again. For God and my Country.