♣
I’m a writer, storyteller, and the author/editor of Tales by Em. You're about to be impacted with great thoughts and vibes through my writing on culture, travel, mysteries; as well as my opinions that are occasionally infused in satire. The perspectives that you'll come across here are my insights into what life is like in Uganda and beyond!
Read more
As soon as you swing the door open and hop out of the enclosure of the car, the first thing that hits you is a heavy aromatic wave of roast wafting through the air. In no time, your brain dispatches a memo to the oral juices alerting them to prepare for deployment at the frontline. The regiment down in your belly is on standby too–ready for battle!
Read more
The composers that originated from the past generation had a quality of music whose lyrical content was such a treasure trove of information and wisdom to guide, uplift and edify. To that, they often added sensational instrumentation textures and a delivery that appeared effortless yet, in overall summation, carried a blanketing atmosphere rich enough to engulf the listener; taking them to a place of contemplative meditation and euphoric ecstasy.
Read more
In this game, you emerge winner only and only if at the end of the day your vehicle’s suspension didn’t get wrecked. Or, if you didn’t meet and greet an on-coming car, head-on. Or, if you were lucky enough not to miscalculate and plunge into a roadside trench along with the Boda-Boda rider you ploughed into. Or all of the above!
Read more
In all, the real catch is bringing the nation to a place where there’s an appreciation of the truth that God’s wisdom is supreme and yet readily available to be inquired upon. Also, for our decision makers to understand that only the hand of God can direct and guide if our aspiration is to truly have prosperity invade this land.
Read more
At 5:30pm my masseuse walks into the room. She’s a good-looking young lady. About 5ft tall. There’s a mask over her face. While I lay there on the warm massage table, she locks the only door to the room and then turns off the lights! What’s left is some really dim ambient lighting lining the edge of the ceiling. Sounding softly in the background is a playlist of every Kenny-G classic, particularly from his Breathless album. How convenient! Now I’m starting to feel like I could lose my breath anytime!
Read more
Over the years, it has come to our knowledge that ignoring God is never without risk. A grim reminder of that fact are the several undesirable events that have gone on to take place here in Uganda despite prior cautions. And yet we’ve still remained unwaveringly stiff-necked!
Read more
Retrospectively, it’s not difficult to see why many would rather pass up on anything that evokes memories of that rough period, not least, enrollment for the covid jabs. Moreover, it doesn’t exactly inspire reassurance knowing that even after a dizzying array of jabs and booster shots, there’s still no guarantee that one wouldn’t catch the virus or die from it!
Read more
That said, as a rule of thumb, whenever insects are dragged into any discourse in Uganda, it’s important to realize that money has either changed hands or is about to! Explains why when the story about some lad selling grasshoppers on an airplane emerged, my suspicions quickly heightened. In this nature of situation, the insects are usually scapegoats! Never mind the irony!
Read more
For the better part of the past 18 months, places of worship have experienced a total shutdown. The tragedy here is just as much in the closure as it is in the fact that a considerable section of the population appears to have gradually grown familiar and comfortable with this obscene arrangement.
Read more
Finally, your sniffy nostrils drag you to the pastries and freshly-prepared foods area. In a short while, you’ll discover that this section is nothing more than a trap! You’re not hungry, but I can assure you, by the time you step out of Shoprite, you’ll be carrying two bags filled with all sorts of ready-to-eat food!
Read more