Back in the days, my primary school teacher at St Agnes Primary School in Entebbe Mr. Adam Mpala repeated used the adage; ‘Even a journey with 1000 steps starts with one single step’.
Mpala’s vast grasp of the English language and awesome communication skills inspired me back then to-date.
Occasionally, he would crack comical but rich jokes that I recall vividly and laugh off almost as a daily menu.
Hours to the Uganda Cranes first game at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Group D match against Ghana Black Stars, I reflect on Mpala’s most asserted adage.
Uganda has since 1978 being soul searching to return to the continental football fiesta.
The journey has been decimated by ‘hills and mountains’, near misses cast by tears, abuses and all sorts of ill feats.
Now the special golden moment is here, let us cherish the memories.
For a reason or two, I am happy not only because of Uganda Cranes return to the continental show piece, but also the fans’ passion home and away.
The massive numbers of Ugandans in Port Gentil has left me awed.
Fans of all classes are attacked ‘Tulumbe style’ the coastal city of Port Gentil with a common task and goal at hand – to support and inspire the players.
Personally, I traveled to Port Gentil aboard a Ship and it was a nice experience spending five hours on water from the capital city, Libreville.
Majority of the Ugandans flew using the available domestic flights and have flocked the usually quite Port Gentil city and added the rich Luganda to the already available list of language dialects.
MP’s led Patrick Isiagi, Allan Ssewanyana joined the State Minister for Sports Charles Bakabulindi and National Council of Sports officials among the ‘A’ class politicians ready to sing aloud the national anthem prior to the start of the match.
There are club administrators like KCCA chairman, Julius Kabugo, FIFA Agents led by Geofrey ‘Solo’ Kayemba, Ex players, ordinary fans sponsored by Airtel Uganda, Nile Special and many journalists.
Monday night was spent at Hotel De L’Aeroport, a base where majority of Ugandans have pitched camp at $ 100 per room for every individual.
Mujje Tulumbe Naro……
