ARIAKA

To have survived the long journey, the cat and mouse game that is kuhigira in the middle of Uganda, in that enclave recently awash with oil; to have enjoyed the splendid food and the astounding hospitality, to have… phew.

It thus with a bit of trepidation that I received the news.  I am….. Not again I agonized. We’ll there you are.

So we started the journey to welcome him/her. You need tests. Yes, to confound your fears.  I suggested to her.  We’ll.  Well see about that. Came the reluctant answer.

The Vedics, Euroasians, Moslem, Greek, Persians Sinkrit; all ancient peoples and through various endavours, be it trade, conquest and or adventure brought with it all variations.  So you may know it as Sabbath, sept, sieben, seven all depending on the orientation of your tongue.

Yes, it was a Sunday and true it was in September. But that be the time for the tidings.

Now, we have to go through the motions.  Count the months. Count the days and count the hours.  Overcome the anxiety, the fear, the joy and the spate of that warmth that rushes through the guts and the spines.

So, when on Thursday the 10^th, of May 2007, I mentioned that the hour was nigh!  On account of what the Baganda say “something has stepped me on the side” ,  (ekintu ki nsimye) we had prepare, for the hour was nigh.

By morning, that Friday, it was agreed that the best domiciliary for that condition is at the Hospital.  With Adrofeni, obliging as he is wont to do we pack the bags and fill the boots and vroom.  Sarah, his godmother had made sure of it.  She had insisted on it say: We have a case of post-maturity that requires the urgent attention of her ilks

We encamp at that facility owing its existence to the British twin policy of Victorian Era of dominating the world and saving the soul of the local savages (sic).  Sir Albert Cook and his wife personify this establishment today, and for good reasons.  It is set atop Namirembe hill in cool and quiet environment.  To stress the point of good living, the ascent is a task at hand, a task nevertheless taken.  So good for good living.

Mpereza, that is our destination.  We disembark and relieve Adrofeni of his burdens and walk to the welcoming ward.

Hours later. Blinding lights, flat circular lamps arranged cyclically hovering above. Give me a spatula, a scissor etc.  Her memory was faded; she joined that world of dreams.  There, the living are in the mind, holding fast to real life real time in memory.  Apply 33% ammonium solution? Nay.  She pulls through just fine.  And the fighter she is, she pulls through just fine.  Only that there is this excruciating pain around the navel, right up through the diaphragm.

Different peoples, in their own coinages say: No gain no pain ouch!!! No gain without pain. Ahh aha phew.  Translated from Lugbara: a prodigal son will never be married for (sic).  Yet others have said lately: should you have no money, forget about the doughnut. Eh! Ughmm.

Yes, with that pain behold. He is born.

His name junior but you can call him Ariaka Iteaude Amvile Jonathan Geria Richard joining us at 4.00 pm prompt.

Although initially putting our faith to test, the young fellow bravely bore his first encounter with us by overcoming the rigours of a viral infection that had bated his breath.  A nurse remarked that he will be a fighter, to which I agree to the extent of one in form and essence of a go-getter, higher flyer; of aluta continua generalization.

Now into his second week, he is an astute feeder, clasping his mother’s breast so firmly as to bewilder his consanguines who lovingly take turns to lavish their affections.

It is time to offer the young fellow the merits for him to exert himself and make his mark.