Friday, April 15, 2011

The Walk-to-work protest: From a poet’s perspective.

By: Silver M Kayondo
Very early in the morning, they set off to work on foot
Their 4 wheel drive air-conditioned vehicles left parked
For a noble cause; in protest of high fuel prices
Peacefully, courageously and calmly –they set off.

Tip, tap, tip tap, tip tap destined for their respective places of work
To struggle and make ends meet,
Provide daily bread for their families, share with loved ones; and
Identify with the common Ugandan who can’t afford his transport fair anymore
Who works so hard; day in-day out, Week in-week out, Month in-month out
But all he receives at the end is peanuts.

The Government takes the lion share of the peanuts in taxes and social security fund
The biggest whale in the sea takes his portion
To finance elections, purchase more military artillery
To consolidate its position as the biggest whale in the sea

Hardly had they reached their places of work when the police appeared
‘‘Stop. I have said stop. Where are you going? Today, walking is illegal.’’ The police commander shouted on top of his voice.
‘‘We are going to work.’’ They humbly and innocently answered.
Some of them dignitaries-very high profile people in the country
Members of Parliament, distinguished members of the noble learned profession, senior politicians
Their chief; a seasoned medical doctor and other respected professionals.

‘‘Why are you walking?’’ the police interrogated
One of them replied innocently, ‘‘we can’t afford the fuel. Prices are very high.’’
‘‘You are under arrest.’’ The senior police officer barked
The junior officers, with the index fingers tight on the triggers of AK 47 assault riffles
Ready to pull, spit venom and spill blood, came closer and ring fenced their catch

Brutally, in the most inhumane manner they mugged their catch
Bundled him on their police patrol pick up vehicle purchased with part of the catches’ taxes
Off they drove him to the police station
In the coolers of solitary confinement he was locked up

‘‘This is unconstitutional!’’ his respected learned advocate lamented
‘‘He is exercising his constitutional right. He was peaceful, unarmed and did not interfere with anybody.’’ He pleaded
On deaf ears the pleas fell

He was arraigned before court-a holy sanctuary. A temple of justice
And charges of inciting violence preferred against him
He vehemently denied the accusation by the state and was granted bail
He at last had partial freedom and was ready to go back home
Amidst sighs of relief and thunderous chants by his followers.

‘‘ Give us, us free. Give us, us free. Give us, us free. Give us, us free. Give us, us free.’’ Joseph Cinque (1813-1879), a West African who led a slave mutiny on the Cuban Amistad ship in 1839. It led to a celebrated trial in United States courts, which held that slaves escaping from illegal bondage should be treated as free men.
 
The writer is a Law student at Uganda Christian University, Mukono
 
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