Kampala came to a standstill this Monday morning after police had to confront a group of women protesting against being neglected by their husbands.
The women who identified themselves as wives said that they were tired of concubines or mistresses (commonly called side-chics) interfering with the running of their marital homes. They accused side chics of monopolising their husbands' attention and destabilising the harmony in the homes
“Wives also deserve trips to Dubai,” a placard from one of the women from what they called the Association of Housewives read.
The women who staged their protests at high traffic area roundabouts of Garden City, Mulago and Usafi round-abouts brought morning traffic to a standstill as they complained that prices have gone up but husbands are not increasing “Kameeza Money”.
Kameeza money is a colloquial term for money a spouse leaves at home to meet domestic needs while they are away.
The women were whisked to Central Police Station in Kampala where among their grievances told Police that “husbands are no longer eating at home.”
“They just be in bars, watch soccer, eat muchomo and come home belching yet we have prepared nice food for them,” one of the women said.
Police advised the women to get off the streets and make a formal gathering where they can address their issues. It is then that the women said they will hold a women’s conference this Wednesday April 13th at the NCC in Naguru.
Meanwhile, the protests have gone viral and attracted the attention of big wigs like opposition stalwart former Presidential aspirant Kizza Besigye who said he feels the women’s pain.
According to a tweet by the seasoned politician, women are in pain and society deserves to pay attention. He, however, defended men, saying that the reason why Kameeza money is low is because of the bad economy and that women should instead lead the fight against socio-economic injustice.
“Women are in pain; let’s pay attention! The biggest source of problems is, likely, the economy- men are in hiding and don’t have “Kameeza money”. Women should, instead, lead the fight for socioeconomic Justice; I am already dressed- to go!” he tweeted.
One of the thorny issues to discuss at the conference is the longstanding war between housewives and the side-chics who have recently gained popularity among the married men at the expense of the former.
Men are rumoured to be splurging their cash on their non-official lovers at the expense of their official wives hence the protest of the women demanding more from their husbands.
With such topics, the Women’s Conference promises to be an explosive one.
