I am a celebrate – Yohana

 By Hope Mafaranga

 When   Saturday Vision published my story, it never occurred to me that it will lead me to meet the president of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, nor did it cross my mind that I will go back to Kampala after 50 years, Yohana Ahuruma 131, who recently met President Museveni.

I never imagined the impact of a newspaper.  In fact now I treasure newspapers more than anything, unfortunately my eyes are gone and I can’t read.

The first time Saturday Vision visited and asked me about my age, I did not take it serious and my follow locals here in Busunga village, Bundibugyo district wondered how a national newspaper could visit a poor person like me.

But now my friends wish to be published in the papers after seeing it is impact.

 News of meeting the president

When Fr. Bainekanama broke the good news that I was slated to meet the President,  I got mixed feelings.

  One of the things that came into my mind was that may be I was going to be arrested another on the other hand I was filled with a lot of joy.

Fr. Bainekanama told me to get ready but I never believed him, it was like a dream. In fact I spent three nights playing my endigigi (musical bow) and thanking God for remembering me and also giving me another opportunity to go back to Buganda (Kampala).

My daughter had to force me to go to bed but could not sleep because of too much excitement.

 How he prepared

 I started preparing myself for the journey of course I wanted to look my best before the president. I never risked to allow anyone wash my clothes and my shoes, I decided to do it myself to ensure they were clean enough and presentable in front of the president.

I washed my coat, my trouser, my shirt and I even cleaned my Ndingidi and stick because I wanted to dance and sing for the president.

However I was still doubtful if it was true that I was going to meet the president.  Finally the big day came and Fr. Bainekanama came to pick me.

The journey

Everything looked new to me from the roads and the buildings. I knew it would take us five months to get to Kampala but was shocked when we only spent about 7 hours on our way.

In 1966 when I was last in Buganda, it used to take us three to five month to get there but this time around it was like we flew from Bundibugyo to Entebbe.

Getting to state house

We were ushered into a big room with nice looking chairs, the place looked like heaven.   We were given tea and bread, soda, water and every I wished to eat and drink was there and workers were at our disposal to serve us.

 Later we were taken to a house (hotel) where we spent three days waiting to see the president.     My granddaughter you do not know how I felt, the bed was big, warm and every day they changed my beddings.

If it was not for the New Vision, where on earth would I have gotten to see such clean room and knit beddings?

Even the time I used to work in the Kabaka’s palace, I swear I never saw this kind of a bed.

 Every morning, I   was served with good breakfast, good food and that there was a large television in my bed room   and in the place where we used to eat from. I thought I was in heaven.             

Meeting the president

We were picked from our hotel and taken to his house.  Museveni was elected by God to rule Uganda.   We found him there and his lovely wife Janet waiting for us.

My dear, the president stood up to greet me and his well-behaved wife followed.  The president even showed me where to sit.

 I swear he treated me with a lot of respect and as his grandfather.  This moved me and I held my rosary and thanked God for the New Vision.

 After sitting down, in shot while they brought tea and bread and we ate. We starting talking and I found him a very interesting man and his wife was always smiling.

 He asked about my age, my background and we talked for more than two hours. I cannot explain to you to understand how I felt and the time the president accorded us.

 One thing I realised was that both Museveni and his wife were brought up very well.  I was surprised by there to down to earth character; imagine his wife even tapped my shoulder.

Despite my toothless mouth and struggling to talk they showed me love, respect and listened attentively and patiently to every word I had to say. You don’t understand the feeling my child.

We discussed many things including the Rwenzururu issues and the president was so much informed and everything I told him.  We spoke like old friends.

 After two hours,   we were taken to another sitting room and the president and his wife came back to bid us farewell.  The president asked me what my heart desired; I simply told him that I wanted him to build for me a house which he granted. 

We were driven back to our hotel and the following day we left.

 Going back

I was given a hero welcome back home and of course I had to show off that I am from seeing the president. I had brought a bag of sugar, a box of soap and rice and I shared with neighbors.

 That  night I knelt down , held my rosary , I prayed for the president and his family for long life, I prayed for the New Vision that  wrote about me because if  you had not written about me the president would not have known me.

I even asked God to forgive me all my sins because after leaving Museveni’s house, I felt Holy.  I wish to campaign for him and vote him if he stands again.  I also pray that I meet him again and I  will request him for a car and a driver.

 I am grateful to Fr. Bainakanama and the New Vision.   Since then, many people come to see me and give me some money.

Prince Kijanangoma of Toro unveils his bride

Prince Kijanangoma of Toro unveils his bride

Prince  David Kijanangoma 49, of Toro, who has been  giving the king of Toro Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV sleepless nights  over the throne has finally got Omugo( Queen) to warm his cold nights. Hope Mafaranga caught up with the couple having a good time at Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala.

Kijanangoma’s side.

Agatha Namara has really melted my heart. She is so special to me and close to my heart, soul and body. In fact I cannot take a day without talking to her.

Honestly she is the true missing part of my body.  I miss her every second that I am not with her and I cannot wait for December 23, 2017 the day we will be declared husband and wife.

That day, my heart will be at peace because it will make a seal that she is mine forever.

One first day I saw her at her uncle’s place, my heart missed a beat, I immediately knew that she is the one I have been longing for. Her natural beauty, cute smile, communication skills and her character struck me.  I am 49 years and I have never felt this way, Hope I swear I was moved and I had to no choice but to ask for her contact.

 We kept on communicating and getting together and we are set for a real Royal Wedding. We have set out February 11, as our first visitation  to her family in Kasunga , Mwenge, Kyenjojo district, our introduction  will take place  on July 22 while December 23, 2017  will be the beginning our journey officially.

I had rejected four girls from whom clan leaders had identified for me from the Basiita, Abagumba   and Abagahi clans, not because they weren’t beautiful but I want to fall in love naturally.

  After knowing her, the clan leaders and some other senior members of the royal family investigated her clan (Musaigi) and her family and they confirmed to me that she was an upright girl, from a respectable family that treasures the norms and culture of Toro.

Apart from Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III (the father of the current king Oyo) who married in Butuku in Ntoroko district, all the past kings of Toro married from Mwenge because Mwenge women are respective, hardworking and have Toro at heart. Namara is also related to Omugo Kezia ( the grandmother of King Oyo).

Omugo Kezia was a good woman and a perfect queen, that’s why Namara is being groomed from her relatives to internalise the norms and cultural matters of Toro.

I know it has taken me long to find someone to spend the rest of my life with but I wanted to find my own queen, good enough there she is.

I have been in and out of relationships which resulted into four beautiful kids aged 10, 8, 6 and 3 from three difference women but all did not work.

I am glad I found Namara my very last one. In fact she has promised to give me more six children which is superb.  

Cultural wise she is not supposed to cook, but once in while I would love to taste her food. She is my queen I will also cook for her American dishes once in a while.

Asked if he is setting an example for his young brother Omukama Oyo; “Marriage is a lifetime commitment and i think my brother Oyo is still young.

I would not even spare anyone who is forcing him to get married against his choice and decision. This will help him not to make mistakes his sister Ruth Komuntale made.

 I know many girls out there are dying for him and he will soon get pressure from the royal family to get Omugo but I would advise him to take his time and get someone his heart truly desires.

 Matters of the heart are too complicated to tell and no one can feel for you the person you are going to love, to cherish, a mother of your children and of course a queen.  It is in order for him to have a critical eye and thought about the love of his life.

  What Namara

I used to work with Alliance Motion Global and we had travelled to Fort Portal for a workshop, I went to check on my uncle at Allan Resort and that where I found the prince. The Prince and my uncle are friends.

That was the first time I met him in June, he asked for my number and I just gave it to him and never thought it was the start my journey of being his wife. (Kijanangoma interferes) No Sweetie, the mothers of my children will have to know the limit.

I love his calmness, affection, kindness and maturity. I feel so honored to be his wife because I know many girls out there would have wanted him but he made his choice to make me his queen. Why would not I be happy?

 I am not bothered about his age because at this time I am very sure he is ready to settle and not a player.

He told me about his four children from his previous relationships and I am okay with it. I will be a good mother to his children and add him 6. However I would feel jealous if he is over communicating with their others.

After all I also grew up with a step mother and I do not see any reason to why I should not bring other women’s children up.

Some people are saying he is not rich, but that is not important to me, God will provide for us and the most important thing is love. We truly love each other, we communicate a lot, we trust each other so much and that is the foundation of our relationship.

Namara went to St Joseph Primary School, Nsyambya , then attended Bukulula SSS in Masaka after senior four she joined YMCA for a certificate in Travel and Tourism, she continued to attain a diploma in Travel and Tourism Management from  the same institution and she is waiting to graduate.

 I know it will be easy to be his wife being that so many things come with royalty. However I am prepared to make him a proud man because I love him.

 The only thing I am so scared about is the media because I am not used of publicity. The good thing is that my Prince has been in the limelight for long and he is doing a job in mentoring to get used to cameras and any preparing for any good or bad publicity that will come along being his wife.

He is very supportive.  

HIV virus damages the brain at the early stage of infection- Medics

By Hope Mafaranga

When I tested HIV positive in 1991, I wanted to end of my life. I came from St. Mary’s hospital Lacor determined to end my life and that of my children.

I cooked food, crushed radio batteries and mixed it and fed my five children so that we can all die and end my suffering on earth.

These are the words of Evelyn Lakot 50, a resident of Opit village, Odek sub-county in Gulu district who has lived with HIV since 1991.

She got to know about her HIV status following the sickness of her husband who was admitted at Lacor hospital in Gulu.

“My husband presented strange rushes, had diarrhoea and he eventually died. The health workers attached from Comboni Samaritans attached to Lacor hospital advised me to test. I never liked the results,” she said.

Lokot was depressed and devastated because of the virus. She is one of the many whose mind was destroyed by the HIV virus at an early stage.

However God saved her family and the mixture did not work and none of her family died of that poison.

She has to endure a lot of rejection from her neighbours and relatives to cope with virus.

In 1997, she started taking ARVs, a drug that prolongs the lives of people living with HIV but the stigma was more of killer that the virus itself.

“One day I came from the hospital, too tired and I stopped at my neighbours place and requested for a drinking, a boy gave me the water but when his mother came out of the house and found me taking water from her cup, she grabbed it from me and threw it away saying I was going to infect her family.

This is one of the days that will stay in my mind and when I remember that incident the pain comes back,” she adds.

Severino Ocan  a resident of a resident of Lugum B village, Pagwok parish, Namukora sub-county, Kitgum district is another traumatised person because being positive with HIV/AIDS.

He lost his wife in 2003, then also all his parents followed. He became alone and began seeing his life being useless.

He could not sleep at night and thought that suicide was the best thing to do since no one was there to assist him.

HIV and mental illness are cousins

According to Dr. Etheldreda Nakimuli a senior lecturer and psychiatric epidemiologist at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) in Kampala, said Lakot  and Ocan  are some of the people whose brain was destroyed by HIV at an early stage.

Have worked at Butabika hospital, Dr. Nakimuli described the situation of people who turned up at the hospital with mental illness as so sympathetic.

She says people who were mentally illness and were HIV positive not knowing or knowing, upon being put on mental health treatment, the side effects  were so severe and required an emergency attention.

“ Some of them , we did not know their HIV status but after putting them on anti psychotic treatment that is used in treating mental illness,  the reactions were so severe. In fact some got excessive stiffness in the neck, trembling, eyes could go up as if someone is dying and we had to give them an emergency attention,” she said.

Screen HIV people of mental illness

This situation prompted her to do research on mental health among the people living with HIV called Group Support Psychotherapy (GSP).

The study revealed that out of 100 people who tested HIV positive, 30 presented signs and symptoms of mental illness.

GSP research was conducted in the districts of Gulu, Pader and Kitgum in northern Uganda with an aim of treating depression among the people living with HIV.

They also discovered that HIV destroys the brain at an early stage of infection, as reason to why many people who test HIV positive for the first time attempt to commit suicide, some stay in a denial state, others resort to risk behaviours like drinking and reckless sex.

She explains it’s important to screen mental ill persons of HIV, because the brain cells called macrophage attract the virus.

“It is important to screen mental ill people of HIV because the virus penetrates the blood brain barrier into the brain causing mental illness,” she said.

She urged government to integrate GPS into its development plans because it teaches people how to care about their emotions, scoping skills, planning, socialising  and health living.

Sign and symptoms

Febiano Oburu, the TASO psycho social service coordinator said after the research they have been empowered to identify HIV clients who are depressed and health workers have also been trained to screen depression.

He said they ask questions which lead them to some one’s life style. He says some abandon taking their drugs, silence, hunger, resort to domestic violence among others.

Group helps

He said they counsel them and encourage them to disclosure to their family as they will need their support one day.

They also put them in groups where they counsel each other (peer to peer counselling)  and visit them often to access how they are doing.

“This has helped in fighting stigma among HIV and mental patients and helped them to cope with drugs and have achieved adherence amongst themselves,” he said.

People die in silence

The in charge of mental health at the ministry of health, Dr. Sheila Ndyanabangi said depression is high in northern Uganda because people who are suffering die silently without sharing their problems.

She blames leaders for not have included psycho-social support to people in northern Uganda under Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda (PRDP) project.

 “Most people who have severe depression are people living with HIV/AIDS because of isolation and fear of stigma,” Dr. Ndyanabangi said.

She said the ministry wants to reintegrate mental health in all health facilities from national hospitals, regional, district and health centres so that health workers can screen for depression.

“We are putting priority on HIV/AIDS patients because if they are depressed, they don’t take ARV drug, their viral load go high and can transmit the virus to others if they have unprotected sex”,  she added.

Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the chairman L.C 5 Gulu district said a lot of money under PRDP sent from the office of Prime Minister (OPM) cannot be diverted to other sectors because it’s come with it priority.

He concurred with Ndyanabangi on the importance of GSP programmes.

“In 2013, there were high cases of suicide in Koro sub-county in Gulu district because of depression.  50 percent of those who committed suicide were HIV positive while others were traumatised by the LRA war”, Ojara said.

Intervention

Dr. Nakimuli said in the GSP intervention, said they have trained health workers, village health teams (VHT) on how to identify people with depression.

The identified people are placed in groups, given psycho education, discover their personal problems, do positive coping skills, problem solving and skills to reduce stigma and give them basic livelihood skills with the resources that they have.

Acholi Muslim Khadi, Sheik Musa Khalil said there is need for people to have both spiritual and psycho-social support to reduce trauma and depression in northern Uganda.

Khalil who is the vice chairman Acholi Religious leaders’ peace initiative (ARLPI) said as religious leader they had been doing trauma healing program with support of USAID.

Challenges

Dr. Nakimuli said HIV actors did not care much about mental health yet it affects 30 percent of people living with HIV.

“Donors focused their efforts on the search of vaccines, and treatment and no one wanted to hear the mental health, yet it affects the adherence of people living with HIV,” she said.

However for Topista Acora a 24 and resident of Kasubi was making a decision of taking drugs. However she is now looking forward of getting a man of her same status so that she does not spread the virus.

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Oyam widow struggles to change lives of communities

Hope Mafaranga

It is quite disturbing when you listened to a moving testimony from Eddy Okello, a widow who was displaced by Karimojong cattle raiders and later three of her kids abducted by the Lord`s Resistance Army (LRA).

Life is not stable, there is ups and downs part of it, a person may not imagine at certain point in time he or she will overcome the psychologically stress inflicted in his or her life and become very success in life. 

“We migrated from Olilim Sub County in Otuke district 1986 by the Karimonjong cattle rustlers,” she narrated. 

“We were displaced to Lira town and again the LRA insecurity invaded the region and ended up in Internally Displaced People camp in Lira town,” she added.  

Never would Okello expect to be the chairperson of prominent cooperative society with 6,250 members, both men and women. She is the chairperson of Acwec Omio Women Group suited at Acan Pii in Loro Sub County, Oyam district.

“Two of my girls were kidnapped by the LRA rebels from Iceme Girls secondary school including a boy, Omara Denis when we were still in Olilim,” she continued. Omara 12 was abducted when she was going to school.

After years living in squalid IDP camp at Pentecostal Church Uganda, life was not easy with Okello as most of the time the group relay on handout or relief from humanitarian agencies. She spent two years battling to survive in the camp.

She could retail water in town and fetched them with people doing construction at the cost sh100 per jerrican. Casual work like digging people`s garden was also another way of surviving in the camps which had displaced from Otuke and Alebtong 17,000.

Since Okello was looking at the future of the family, she could save the money purposely to acquire land and settled in Oyam. Okello`s 200 hectares was in Otuke and dormant.

“In 2003 we decided to buy this land at sh150, 000 and settled here,” she explained. The land is measuring 15 hectares.

Farming

In the piece of land Okello is comfortably producing adequate food and practicing commercial farming including paying fees for her children though she is a widow. The husband died last year. She has planted soya as oil seed, keeping 50 bee hives, sunflower, goats and rearing pigs.    

“I got 56kg of honey last year and sold each kilo at 15,000kg,” she added.  Other crops she produces in small quantity are simsim, groundnuts, beans and millet.

“We also bulk in our store things like sunflower, soya, maize and sorghum, waiting for the good market,” Okello added.

With planting season, no one could belief Okello spent two years in camp because several crops are coming up in his gardern around the compound.  

A close look to his compound it shows the one for a village tycoon as a number of group members keep on spending leisure hours at her home. She has constructed a permanent house in her compound after practicing commercial forming for some times.

Chairperson of cooperative

The group started with 15 members living in IDP camps but they become so active and other people also decided to join them. Now the group has shot to 6.250 members (3,000 men and 3,250 women) with it big store Acan Pii trading center.

International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) trained the group how to use fertilizers and have bumping harvest.

“IFDC gave us tarpaulin and advised us to buy improved seed if the cooperative is to go commercial,” she recalled.   

The group according to Okello is now stabilized and buying seeds from Victoria Seeds, Equator Seeds and Uganda Oil Seeds and Processor Association. She said each member has his owned land and would plant his or her crops and bulk it as a group.

The store

When she was given a chance to lead the group of farmers and revamp the cooperative society, Okello requested African Development Foundation to build a store to bulk their produce.

“They told us to prepare Bill of Quantity and give them. UOSPA helped us to prepare and we give them,” she added. She said the BOQ took two years and they were almost giving up on the request.

“But fortunately the request was honored and started construction while the community contribution was land, bricks and water,” she said. 

UOSPA donated sh45m to help the group with the construction of the store but now the store has the capacity of bulking 800 matrix tons.

 Okello`s fear.

“We are scared that the LRA will come back because for many times she will eagerly be attempting to come back to northern Uganda and start committing atrocities,” she added.

Okello says she is a peace maker and also among delegation who talked to Joseph Kony to stop fighting when the Uganda People Defence Force (UPDF) flashed him to Garamba forest in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“I went to Kenya and later to Garamba forest,” she elaborated.

Pictures and voices attached

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