Dennis D. Muhumuza
25 November 2009
opinion
Nothing seems to excite and bond Ugandans like sports. That was very much evident during the sixth edition of the MTN Kampala Marathon on Sunday. At the venue -Kololo Airstrip, I met a lanky white young man called Alexander, born and raised in Uganda. Like me, it was his first shot at the marathon and we both had registered for the 10km race. As the race picked rhythm, I noticed Indians, Koreans or Japanese, etc and they all mingled freely and shared jokes as they jogged; some even held hands, visibly enjoying the experience.
Considering the chasm that separates the rich from the poor and strained relationships triggered by tribalism, it was beautiful to watch this connection as we panted together, jumped over potholes and together clamoured for water at the water points and raced on with determination. The "nobody" and the "somebody" became one. I run side by side with Dr. Ian Clarke of Kampala International Hospital. He even gave me the nod to take a picture of us sweating on the road.
Isaac Mulindwa of PAM Awards was among the local "celebrities" who could not run but volunteered to distribute water or direct runners on the routes, help the injured or stand at the finish point to cheer the finishers. After I crossed the finish line, he patted me on the shoulders like I was an old friend and handed me a bottle of water.
All these people had paid a participatory fee to be passed on to the Uganda Red Cross to help underprivileged expectant mothers. In last year's marathon over Shs67 million was raised and used to purchase Mama Kits for about 500 expectant mothers in Oyam District. I couldn't help reflecting on what a beautiful people we would be if the spirit of selflessness and togetherness visible at the marathon was a reality in our everyday lives.
Unfortunately this beautiful country once christened "The Pearl of Africa" has been torn to shreds by ills that make my heart weep. There's no vocabulary that can articulate the corruption and wickedness that has seized our country, the fear and desperation in the hearts of many Ugandans today.
Could it be that such sports events like the MTN Marathon are successful because of the sense of belonging they seem to guarantee and the temporary succour from the trials and tribulations of everyday life?
That's the feeling that struck me at Kololo. As the names of the winners were read and the grand prizes given, the national flag fluttered in the hot sun and the national anthem played heartily. But instead of filling my heart with the pride of being Ugandan, I felt spent and wistful.
I thought of the potholes we had jumped and dodged during the race and the endless tragic accidents on our roads. I thought of all the innocent blood spilled in the infamous child sacrifices, of the "time bomb" that is unemployment, of the immorality that has messed up the lives of young people, of the stinking poverty and of those that have died cruel, mysterious deaths.
Then on way back home, it came to me in an epiphany of sorts that any nationalist who will reach the multitudes the ways marathons and the English Premiership soccer have; anyone who will convince them that there's a better destiny for them and the country; that there's something more meaningful to live for than soccer or the bottle, that person will carry the day come 2011.
Mr Muhumuza is the Public Relations Officer of the Uganda National Cultural Centre
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