"Then She Has Started Today"

Bishop Henry Luke Orombi Praying for us

During the first days of meetings with Omukyara, she tagged a long also a beautiful lady. Ofcourse we were younger those days and you know how we loved stories. I mean, we would talk all talk. 

So this other lady who was very friendly added
to the talking and the listening. She was outgoing, full of energy and selfless. She was that the kind of "not boring self person". You know such people that you often look forward to meeting agian. Those ones who smile easily, extend a hug quickly and state a genuine "how have you been Mark ?" Then they tell about themselves selflessly and you feel motivated to share too. Such people motivate and live a full life. They sort of do a lot of things yet they have time to get personal. They are full of positive energy! I mean the kind of people that this world should posses in plenty! So Madam Mirembe was a such a person. 

Izi with a hood saying somethin to JJ his young brother. 

Now she is still so and much more. Look, she is still light. She has a calm husband, children, a business mind and is motivational. She has travelled a lot and is more exposed now. With her husband, they do 'styling' people. I mean they deal in genuine fashion or simply dress or wear items which they import themselves.  God blesses good people. Madam Mirembe has a good man and a blessed home. Her children are full of power and yield real self esteem. 

As you know, September 23rd is such a bright day at our house hold. Now it fell on a Sunday and we decided to start the day at 5AM. This was not necessarily very good for my friend Humura because her sleep was interrupted. We woke her up. 

The cause was noble. We had decided that on her 1st birthday, we would present and dedicate her to the Lord. She was born at 8AM and we sought it would be cool to dedicate her around the same time. The Chaplain had granted our request. 

By the way Omukyara used to attend the 7 O'clock service at Church during those days of Madam Namirembe. I was a church Usher then together with with friends like Racheal , Maliza, Annet, Duncan while Cliff my best man was the Church Administrator. Omukyara was nealy all the time late to church. You know that time when ushers are a little bit free. I mean, nearly everyone is well seated and parise and worship is done.. By the way we enjoyed serving! I will spare you the detail of this story now but I promise to tell it another day.

Back to waking up early and 'hitting' the road. About half a kilomentor from home, there was a certain man who was rushing. He drove into the road quickly. It would have been fatal was it not for God's own hand over us. The man was driving a huge 'fuso' track. As he tried to overtake a slow track, his did zig zag about four times on the road. The thing seemed to be coming back to hit our car, then it was massively swayed off the road by a certain force. It muzzled its weight into a trench on our right (a few meters away) and it could move out not any longer. The trench grabbed its tires tightly. 

I am often alert while driving. but I can tell you that God just thought about us as he does constantly. I think He saw us just there vulnerable and decided to sweep the zig zagging machine off the road to the trench. No human was hurt. I somehow managed to look back to see the driver disembarking the dahm fuso thing. later on, I shared about this and my friend Mr Muganzi sent me  scripture:  

Psalm 91

⁹ If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”

    and you make the Most High your dwelling,

¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,

    no disaster will come near your tent.

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you

    to guard you in all your ways;

I fully believe that His angels were fully on duty during this road trip. Thank you lord. 

We got to St. Francis Chapel on time. Had a quick meeting at the Vestry. Bishop Henry Luke Orombi (he said he prefers to be called that other than former archbishop of the Church of Uganda) was to dedicate Humara. 

He briefed us 

       "whenever I dedicate a child, I like it that the parents hold the child...I am dedicating the entire family.."  We agreed with him. 

What a beautiful Church Service we had ! The first song was true to the occasion ! Indeed we stood on holy ground. We did dedicate my friend Hazel Humura on holy ground! We stepped forward and Bishop Orombi prayed for us. He spoke prophetically direct into our lives. We are blessed! So blessed beyond a curse. Everything about us in God governed.  My friend Hazel Humura is blessed! 

The church Service was to conclude MAKFEST 2018 . The theme was from “I am Making a Way-Isaiah 43:18-19”

Bishop Orombi preached from  Luke 15:11-32: 

The Parable of the Lost Son: 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them...... 

The towering man spoke like he often does. He spoke his heart about the "Love of a father". I saw his sweat! I was close. 

He spoke directly to me: 

    - Love is generous.  

    - Love lets go.  

    - Love out waits patience.  

    - Love forgives!  

As we moved out, Amos who took the front seat shared a photo he had captured. We also met Ezra & Eunice (never mind that these are actually supposed to be referred to as grandparents to my friend Humura). So we had more photos around. We were all present Edmund, Edson, Barbra, Peter, Dad & Mum. Some of our friends that dont mind waking up early make it too. Mr Opio Douglas, Hope, Patience was present. 

I will write about what happened the afternoon of that day. Remind me if I forget. 

But briefly, Michele one of the lovely daughters of Madam Mirembe Phrased the title for this peace. This is how she did it: 

Guess who Mishelle is among these beauties 

Michelle: Come dia Hazel, this is your sweet. (Dia Hazel receives the sweet, take a bit, another one, as I watch) Omukya: Come on Michelle Michelle: Yes Auntie Cathy 

         Omukyara: Please         don't give Hazel Sweets

Michelle: Why ? Omukyara: Because she is still young and she doesn't eat sweets: Michelle: (with kind of a brushing) Then she has started today.Omukyara: Ok, please bring Hazel to me. Michelle: Please leave her alone, let her be free! 

A night in Chicago by Force!

Adorable siblings in Downtown St. Joseph Michigan .
I planted $5 in their suitcase. Did it germinate ? 

One of the things that God gave each one of us is the capacity to imagine!

Ok, I know there are some people who actually don't believe that all we attribute to ourselves is God given. They don't want to bother themselves thinking about the fact that we were created in the image of God and therefore we are fearfully and wonderfully made! God bless them.

But anyway, so today Friday 8th 2018, I missed a flight back home. One of the reasons for this was the unpredictable heavy traffic towards Chicago City. So I write this from a good room at a Hotel. It's called Four Points by Sheraton. This will be a night in some spacious room with a bed covered by white everything. Although I hope this AC Machine will stop its noise to offer me sleep. 

It is not my first time to miss a fight but it is my first time to miss one and spend a night. But these things happen anyway. Nearly all travellers have one of such stories. I missed one in Istanbul in 2017 and had to wait 8 hours to get on another. I sat in a good chair and slept off for half of the time. I think if it were (is this correct English ? Teacher Alice or  Modern  will deal with that question)

You see, I have all long been imagining how my friend Humura looks like now. I spoke to my Katrina on phone and got to here my friend singing in the background. Yes she was singing. Her usual kinds of songs. I imagine she will be a musician. Not sure what kind. I hope she she sings church music or conducts a gospel choir.  Its is possible. Her grand dad, the great JCHB taught music to University Students. He did sing too. I think the only disconnect is the missing of the music acumen in her father and my Katrina her mother. We just cannot sing! I am better maybe hehehe. We could do this for a bate ?

But knows, maybe my friend will be an astronaut or a marine. hehehe None of us knows now except God. We can only imagine. We can only pray for her and ourselves.

So the thing is, I have been imagining for about 14 days now. I left my friend crawling. Is she walking now ? Is she still smiling the same way she did ? The girl has a cute smile. In fact she picked that from her mumier. Completely! on that, I am out. So my mind keeps drawing pictures of how she looks like now. I will have to wait to meet her. I will wait for more than 2 days. I imagine she will come along to welcome me back home. So I packed some goodies for her.

Yes I miss them, I miss my soldiers. I miss my friend and my katrina. My soldiers.

Trying on actual size shades. The sun was too hot to the skin

So let me tell you very briefly about my stay in Mishawaka this time round. 

I will say more some time next week after meeting my soldiers but let me tell you about a good couple. I am sure they will not read this anyway. I can say as much as I want about them. These two people are godly. I think they are blessed. Roberta and Thomas Spencer live in South Bend Indiana. They are both gifted with love. I met Roberta  first in 2015. Then I met Tom in 2016. I think Tom is better than Roberta but then I think they are better than each other. I like them. They are are so helpful to many. You can tell from their eyes that they are genuine and selfless. I want to give examples to explain my assertions later. I mean when I write again.

Its good to fly world business class

So while bidding farewell, Tom said "...Don't do anything I wouldn't do..." Now how I am to do what Tom can do ? Let me tell you, the man opens the car door for you when he is to drive you to see around...he keeps your bag and jacket as soon as you get to his house, he serves you juice.

Roberta will read your mind very well. I am not kidding. She could easily go and do shopping for your spouse's jewelry after a one day interaction with you.

I intend to keep writing short pieces but a number of them. So let this one end here. I think its a gift to write. How do people write huge volume books ? I mean, I can only do a short piece. 

Roberta drove me to see places. Of course she drove further with others. I had less time to enjoy her company.

Thank you.

Feeling Lazy to Write!

So I have spent some time without writing here.

Yes, one of the reasons and perhaps the most realistic one is that I have been lazy at my game of writing lately. Definitely I am quite busy but thats not to say I fail to get a minute to read too many many messages posted on Abanyasheema whatsApp group. By the was all these messages rotate around the same thing. Kind of hot news that seem to remain on people's heads.

You know, the Dr Elioda Tumwesigye  decided to stand and was actually elected Member of Parliament for or rural Sheema Municipality. Of Course thats no brainer but the news is here. Dr Tumwesigye was already Member of Parliament for Sheema North. Some people felt he should have left it out for another to take the Municipality seat. But he also had reasons. So he got onto the ballot and people decided to vote him.

In essence Dr Tumwesigye becomes a Member of Parliament representing two constituencies albeit temporarily. So commentators have been talking, writing and chatting about this scenario.

Perhaps I should add that Dr Tumwesigye is known to me. Or I should say I am known to him. He is my friend.  I took on at job at his founded Organization (ICOBI) after my stint at the Scripture Union of Uganda (SU).

I can tell that at both work places, I enjoyed my time. But perhaps I enjoyed my stay at SU more. We walked to work and we were youthful. We did Life Skills sessions in high schools and spoke loudly. we enjoyed the morning Glory and had overnight prayers. Yes there at SU. I think I can come back another time to tell my story at ICOBI. On the first day at work, I was handed an old motorcycle. I enjoyed that thing. but the thing broke down often! Sometimes the thing would break down at awkward hours as I rushed home from Bunyaruguru. But that the story for another day.

Or maybe I should add that later on before I left the job, I was handed a new Toyota Double Cabin that I drove around. It was a bit cool to drive the thing. Never mind that I was allocated a drive who I often left a side to drive. I mean, I was young then. You know what this means.

I did not tell this story well but I know you will bear with me. Dr Tumwesigye was in the election with my friends Dr Misharch Katusiime and Raymond Kamugisha. But somehow the ultimate contest was between the NRM and the FDC. There was a 'new comer' Mrs Plan Mugyenyi of FDC who showed up. This lady gained a following within a short time. Up to now, she claims she won the vote. I think she is going to court or something. I don't know how this will end but I am sure that Dr Katusiime will write a piece about it. This was an experience for him. I can bet on that.

For a record, I did not vote. I was on travels to the USA from where I am writing. But I had preferences for sure.

By the way this whole is not what I intended to write, I wanted to share about my second trip to the USA and how it is all going. I traveled in Summer. The Dress cord right from Entebbe told it all.

I think I should write another one.

This is already long.

See you. bye

Football Fans to Build a Hospice in Uganda - This gesture is the first one of its kind!

The Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU) has entered into partnership with two big football clubs in Kampala for a joint fundraising drive to build a hospice in Arua. The Football Clubs, KCCAFC and the Onduparaka FC are among the biggest brands of Football in Uganda and East Africa. KCCAFC is owned by the governing authority of Uganda’s Capital while the Onduparaka FC hails from the West Nile Region. They both have multitudes of supporters and lovers of soccer across the country. The two clubs have now partnered with PCAU to organize a fundraising drive to support New Life Hospice Arua (NELIHA) to establish a permanent h

ome in Arua. This partnership is as a result of a request by PCAU to both clubs. In 2017, PCAU launched a five year strategic plan which among other key areas focuses on raising resources to support hospice and palliative care initiatives in remote districts of the country.

The World Health Organization(WHO) defines Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients (adults and children) and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness. It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual.

Palliative care service provision began in Uganda in 1993 through the establishment of Hospice Africa Uganda(HAU). To date, there are 13 standalone hospices across the country with the majority of these located in the central districts near the capital Kampala. This leaves the larger part of upcountry districts in Uganda without hospices. This greatly impacts the provision of palliative care services because ordinarily, the public health care system in Uganda does not offer home care services. Research by Hospice Africa Uganda has shown that majority of patients in their last days prefer to die from home other than in hospital settings. It therefor very important that stand alone hospice arrangements are supported because they offer services such as community out reaches and home care. Otherwise, patients often die in great pain and suffering. This comes along with great distress to the entire family where these patients die.

This year, the palliative care fraternity is celebrating 25 years since these services were first introduced in Uganda. The Palliative Care Association of Uganda which was founded has realized great strides. The Association works closely with the Ministry of Health and has the vision of Palliative Care for all in need in Uganda. A profound achievement for the palliative care fraternity in Uganda is that Morphine which is the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended medicine for treatment of pain among the terminally ill available for patients free of charge. 

The government pays for the production of this medication at Hospice Africa Uganda. Since 2004, the Ugandan laws also allowed specially trained nurses and clinical officers to prescribe this controlled narcotic medicine. This made Uganda the first country to allow this task shifting as opposed to the norm where doctors are the only ones allowed to prescribe such medicines. These among other developments have made Uganda a model of palliative care service provision in Africa.

However, statistics by the Ministry of Health indicate that only or slightly above 10 percent Ugandans in need of Palliative Care receive it. The Health Sector Development Plan 2016-2020 indicates that hospice and palliative care services are being offered in only 4.8% of the public hospitals. This portrays the magnitude of need and why such initiatives and partnerships to support establishment of standalone hospices are valid. The football clubs should also be credited for allowing to use their brands to give back to society.

The KCCA FC and Onduparaka FC will play a charity games in both Kampala and Arua town. The game in Kampala will be played on June 16th while that of Arua will be played on June 30th 2018 at Star Times Stadium Lugogo and Betway Greenlight Stadium respectively. The gate collections from the sale of tickets will go towards the establishment of the first building for the New Life Hospice in Arua (NELIHA).

The two events are expected to raise 500 million Uganda Shillings, which is the estimated cost of establishing the building with its facilities. The building will house a patient’s waiting room, three office rooms and hostel capacity for at least 20 cancer patients receiving treatment at Arua Regional referral Hospital and patients in transit after referral to Uganda Cancer institute (UCI) in Kampala. The location of this hospice is prime given that the communities in West Nile host refugees from the Southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The proposed hospice will therefore serve not only  the locals but also refugees but also citizens of the two neighboring countries who after all travel daily to access health care in Uganda.

Football has a unique way of bringing together people from all walks of life. It is a unifying factor. The planned football games are expected bring together large crowds of over 10,000 football lovers but also philanthropists and policy makers. The games will be utilized by palliative care organizations to give out messages on the services. In addition, the games will offer a platform to advocate for key matters such as the passing of the National Palliative Care Policy by the government. The development and passing of this policy has stalled for about 10 years.

In a world with the ever increasing incidence rate of Non Communicable Diseases, specialist services such as palliative care ought to be prioritized not only by government but also the business community and civil society actors. Universal health coverage(UHC) which as a central place in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is also defined with palliative care as central. In essence, the WHO has defined UHC to mean that all people should have access to the full spectrum of essential, quality health services they need (health promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care) without the risk of financial hardship when paying for them.

It is actually fine to Listen to Guidance

My friend, there is what you desire to be and what are right now! Ok ? Good ! Now acknowledge that you are not yet that which you desire to be and that is the first step of your journey.

It's also very important that after sometime, you take a flashback on where you were, where you are and what you still have to do to be that which you desire! Got it ? Good!

Now stop living living like you have already arrived. You know why ? Because you will respond to humble instruction or correction as judgement or punishment!

See, do you remember the words.. Do corrections in red ink ? Now incase you missed that, then you will find it a problem being advised or corrected at this stage. I mean at this your age. Yes you. How old are you by the way ?

But never mind, some people learn best by their own experimentation not from experiences of others. So you could be one of the kind! Of Course you will learn eventually. But who know ? You could come out with wounds.

So take the lesson, take instructions, learn to measure your journey and go forth. Yes! Well get there. We are not where we want to be but at least we are not where we used to be...

hehehe so,..don't walk like a rancher yet you have one young cow... Maybe thats what Rev. Father Deo Kiibi... "mbu some of you are like cups at home"...hehehe as in height! Yet on the road, you are too tall.... 

Yes I mean, you just have one cow. Just save to buy more or be humble to ask for help....Now how do you start walking like...hehehe Yes I mean him.

But wait a moment is Afande Kirumira back from Nalufenya ? He is Member of Parliament yet ?

A Beautiful Evening by Katharina Teufel-Lieli

Yours Truly trying it out
- let's say posing for the photo to put here for you.

You see, the name Katharina alone would make the night beautiful.

But look, this is not about my Katharina! It's about another one that I met tonight in Schloss Arenberg. It's winter season in Europe and I had not enjoyed my stay here since I arrived 4 days ago. Salzburg is beautiful. Like Geneva where I visited in October, public transport works here. hehehe yes the buses and trains keep time and there is no hooting!

So I took a bus with colleagues last evening to a shopping mall and we did buy a few items at the a store. I guess people were buying gifts for their loved ones. It is always nice to bring something home from a foreign trip.

But thats beside the point of my coming out today. I wrote to tell you about my maiden night at a Chamber Music Concert! Perhaps you have attended one yourself. Then you have a story. It was my first time to attend. Otherwise I see this on youtube.

Two excellent people presented! Katharina and Peter. Let me tell you we had a great night. Very unique about Chamber Music is that  is quite sombre, phones  are kept in mute mode and no lots movements. Its soothing and speaks to the heart. the blood flows gently during the concert. So the duo prayed Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) and concluded with Astor Piazzola (1921-1992) . "How long does it take to perfect the art ?" I asked katharina... She smiled and let me know that its what she studied and is near a professor now ! You see it's not haphazard at all. 

Amazingly, Katharina and Peter stayed around after the concert and spoke to all who liked them. they let us touch their instruments and that was pretty fine. Did i tell you they were decently dressed ? 

Now back home in Uganda, tell me how I can get to talk to..whats her name ? I mean after her concert...

I miss Humura now. Maybe she will grow up to be a Katharina like Teufel-Lieli. Who knows ? 

Yes, I miss my Soldier. Her and my Katharina are my Soldiers and I am their Afande too! I and my Katharina are Humura's Soldiers, so she gat two Afandes holding huge weapons. Not the kind of weapons held by  Kim Jong Un of our time! Not at all, ours are mighty to destroy strongholds! The kind of full armour of... hehehe it's a kind of army you don't want to be against..very advancing to take over.    

Katharina and Peter doing their soothing thing ! 

This was a very beautiful evening ! Serenity... 

Next in 24 hours:

... Cabin crew, prepare for landing... Cabin Crew, take your seats and then home sweet home I will be to hug my Soldiers. 

See you Afandes! 

My Short Stay in Geneva

So last week I got an opportunity to in Geneva, Switzerland. I arrived on October 23rd and specifically resided at Hôtel Mon Repos. Its beautiful hotel to stay. Just within reach of the city bus and train and a bit quiet.  

I don't intend to delve into the details of my trip but just to let you know that I had travelled to learn. 

Learning never ends! I got to learn for example about the right to privacy. I got to interact with people who use and inject drugs. And as long as they used the drugs by themselves, who are you to question them ? They use these drugs by choice and they don't harm or influence anybody. So let them be. I leant that. 

But most importantly, I learnt that presidents if nations retire and live in freedom. In such deep freedom that one one knows a lot about them. so one of the former presidents of Switzerland came to my class and offered a lecture. Ruth Dreifuss came to class, simple with no escorts and smiled. she hugged some of the participants easily and answered our questions. 

I rode back home aboard the blue KLM Royal Dutch airlines. 

At Entebbe Airport, the place is still decorated by mobile telecom company details.