While extolling the power of language, award winning writer and lawyer, Kakwenza Rukirabashaijja, encouraged us all to expand our vocabulary.
This was during an X-Space hosted by the President of the Uganda Law Society, Isaac Ssemakadde.
My understanding of Kakwenza’s reasoning, in this context, is that, after all, the words do exist, why not use them to the fullest?
Kakwenza let us in on why he deliberately chooses to use “hard pompous English.” And it made perfect sense.
He also gave us a taste of the historical context of how come his choice.
Growing up, he astutely observed, his fast contact with the written word, books and all, was with books donated from Europe.
This is likely the case for the majority of my generation, Generation X. I can fully identify with the socialization Kakwenza describes. During our early childhood, there were few African writers, indeed, as he pointed out.
It is logical, therefore, that many in Uganda, Ugandans, are afflicted with being endowed with sub-consciously colonized minds.
Possessing a disposition to accept and believe, without question, that which is written of us from the perspective of a Eurocentric lens.
It is the norm for so called expats to get away with making false statements and pronouncements about us, Ugandans and our country Uganda. For example:
“Uganda has the fastest growing population in the world, and it shows. There is an impossible, riotous number of little kids everywhere.” Francisco Toro, Expatriate
Expatriates, such as Toro, need not worry for it is rare, if at all for there to be push back from us.
Ironically, in fact, it is more likely that Ugandans will adopt, regurgitate and legitimize such falsehoods by expats. Official government documents are littered with such.
Dumbfoundingly, in addition, Ugandans are more likely to accept false and derogatory descriptions of them, such as Toro’s “impossible, riotous number of little kids everywhere.”
But take instant offense with accurate descriptions by Ugandans of our public servants, politicians. The smoke-screen “abusive language” is utilized to divert attention from the real issues.
So, public servants get away with abuse of office, corruption, and more, because those with decolonized minds, bold and brave enough to accurately describe the crimes are the ones targeted for using “abusive language.”
When a discourse analysis will clearly reveal that what is considered by many in Uganda as “abusive language” is not at all. It is often the case it is an accurate description.
Plenty warped logic at play in Uganda, on matters use of language.
Let’s Chat…