Norah Owaraga

History of Gomesi Uganda’s ‘traditional dress’

History has it that Gomesi was introduced into Uganda by a Goan designer, Caetano Gomes. And it was later popularized by the Nabagereka, wife of Kabaka Daudi Chwa II of Buganda, who wore it at the official coronation of her husband in 1914. Buganda Kingdom is the largest first nation of Uganda. During elective political…

Why is Egypt categorized middle east?

Recently I watched and listened to a video clip in which Dr. Nawal Sa’dawi expressed how she gets upset when her country, Egypt, is referred to as part of the Middle East. And I thought, wait a minute, I am among the majority who have sheepishly accepted the categorization “middle east” as though it were…

Living a good life

Among us Iteso, affirmation of the way in which you live or lived your life is indicated by naming children after you. Learn more in “I am Alinga”. And so, I was delighted, for the first time, to meet one of my namesakes in Lango, who was named my name Alinga, a name I was…

Advocating for children’s rights

Each time I am prompted to write about a random act of kindness I have done for someone, I instantly remember the weekend around 3rd October 2016. A child, a young girl, clearly mentally ill is reported to have wandered away from the major mental health care facility in Uganda – Butabika National Mental Referral Hospital – which…