Memories from Buganda riot: A military police officer saved my life

An ordinary September, a decade today, am reminded by a tweet of what was a calm day with a fouled air mixed radio messages, by radio presenters. I was and still are an ardent listener to a popular dramatic segment of a morning radio talk show Kalisoliso.

I was a student at the University doing my final year and I was lucky enough to be employed in a new telecom company. I purchased my first motor vehicle at the time. Two weeks later (after the purchase of the vehicle), if memory serves me right, Central Government was exchanging strong-worded caution with the Buganda Kingdom. Political talk shows like one on WBS TV hosted by journalist Peter Kibazo hosted guests that carried strong opinions as Buganda enthusiasts. Government representatives not any different.

An evening radio talk show hosted by popular radio host Meddie Nsereko Sebuliba hosted influential politicians who agitated for FEDERO on his talk show and the words they used I remember on the show sounded very strong and so were the callers. Myself like many others listened but didn’t take it serious with belief that the impasse would be solved. We were wrong!

The contention was the Kabaka’s safety if he went to Kayunga. On the other end, we got to learn at the time of a people called Banyala led by a Ssabanyala within the Buganda Kingdom. They were demanding for respect and recognition and would say the Kabaka or his Katikiro should not cross River Sezibwa.

On the fateful day, we (Me&two friends) were in town, a hot afternoon at a restaurant on Buganda road when we heard noise and chants. Boda Boda tires screeching, police car sirens and loud blasts of tear gas fired to disperse gathering crowds.We stood up in haste,I remember very well a tall bulky man telling us all in the restaurant that we all need to be careful and we didn’t understand.We were to shortly learn. We left, and decided that to easily exit town we had to use Kampala road which was still quiet, down to Hotel Equatoria and get to Old Kampala then head home.

Indeed it was all quiet until we were going down Kisekka Market. Cars jammed, all noise, everyone in a rush, a dark skinned fellow going by his dirty overall looked a mechanic. He gave me a strong glance, then he turned to a group he seemed to have been commanding and shouted “BWEBUNO!”(These are the ones) By the collar he grabbed me, we got surrounded in seconds and were roughed up physically.

I still can’t remember what I thought at that moment but I thought I was going to die for a reason I didn’t know. During the scuffle, a military police pickup at breakneck speed reached where we were, the soldiers shot in the air and came down on the fellows with very strong whips dispersing them and providing us with the safety off the road. In a way of bidding us farewell, a fellow screamed of how they are tired of us with Sharp noses. I remember!