The Ugandan Tales

Product Information

These young people included Victor Rumanyika, Jimmy Bageire, Brian Walusimbi, Bob Drani, and others. Unlike Ayella, at 18 Ayesiga looks like he is not going to grow much taller and will have to settle for being a small pro. The poet has done a remarkable job of sharing his journey through these poems in an attempt to share the struggles of the common man with the world. Mugabe is the role model Ayella, Ayesiga and the rest are looking up to, but admittedly his career should be further ahead of where it is at the moment.

These poems are about the betrayed hopes that many have in new leaders who always promise to change things for the better and put the interests of the common person first: but never do. The strength, despair, and courage portrayed through this collection of poems are worthy of applause, and the message of hope and strength makes this a heartfelt read. The book is set in Uganda and about the struggles of ordinary Africans against post independence African rulers that preach freedom and emancipation but have turned into oppressors.Being fed up with their sheer hypocrisy, utter negligence of the citizen's basic rights, and despotism, the people of Uganda have gathered up all their courage and determination to finally take a stand against these oppressors. Oduke was in the stands, and Uganda’s best player of the current generation by some distance - Duncan Mugabe - was taking pictures on courtside, for himself or perhaps on behalf of tournament sponsors Kinetic, the company owned by current UTA boss Babu. Ayella lost this final 7-5 6-1 to Henry Ayesiga, a kid from a tennis family (he had two other brothers in the tournament), who has made his way into Nairobi’s Sadili Sports Academy along with a handful of other Ugandans.

They were written during an election period where many young people stood up and challenged the status quo. A tale of struggle, valor, and steadfastness of the African people against oppressive leaders masquerading as advocates of freedom and emancipation during post-independence, encapsulated in the form of poetry.At St Mary’s College Kisubi there would be a mighty scramble for places on the school truck to go and cheer on Cedric Babu, Victor Rumanyika and Paul Busharizi against the country’s top juniors, especially the Jinja crew of Renato Sebbi, the Lwanga brothers Mustapha and Shaban, and the late Charles Yokwe, to very huge crowds at this same Lugogo Arena. The collection of poems that capture the post-independence period of Africa, where Ugandan rulers have turned out to be oppressors putting up a global façade of peace-mongering, freedom, and emancipation. Oduke has taught his son the game really well, but is perhaps powerless to stop the boy opting for cricket, which is in reality more rewarding with trips abroad, money and all else. Whilst at the university, he and other colleagues edited and published 2 magazines (The Frontline and The Independent). The Ugandan Tales effectively highlights some of the most prevailing injustices that exist to date, such as police brutality, false leaders, and neglect of rights.

The Ugandan leaders have long been oppressing the African people while masking their true colors with conversations of emancipation and freedom. Ordinary Africans have suffered a great deal at the hands of oppressing leaders whose public façade embraces emancipation and freedom. If his game continues to develop at the current pace, height will not be too much of a problem as tennis has a long list of short-guy successes, from slam winners Michael Chang and Lleyton Hewiitt to current world top eight Richard Gasquet. Through peaceful and non violent means, a new generation of ordinary people is now taking a stand against social, political and economic segregation. On one side of the net was Simon Peter Ayella, the tall, powerfully built son of Uganda’s greatest tennis player of all time, John Oduke.

If you have followed the story of Ugandan sport, this Saturday afternoon tale of Oduke the father, Ayella the son, Ayesiga the prospect, Babu the boss, Mugabe the superstar and Ssali the coerced observer copiously captures its plight, and tennis is no different from the other disciplines. The Ugandan Tales by Victor Rumanyika is a collection of poetry that dives deep into topics of police brutality, social injustices, and oppression through the landscape of the tortured cities.

The book also cleverly delivers a strong potent message that violence is not always the right response against oppression. It not only presents a clear idea of the Ugandan leaders but also presents the perspectives of the oppressed yet diligent African people—an amazing book filled with skillfully composed poetry. This beautiful portrayal of the tyranny faced by the Ugandan people will surely leave the reader with a strong and lasting impression. The book effectively encapsulates the struggles and sufferings of the Ugandan people at the hands of their tyrannical leaders in the form of strong and bold poetic stanzas. Not restricted by syllabic beats, rhythm, or meter, the poet has done a tremendous job of sharing his stance and feelings on the pressing issues of the fellow Ugandans.This did not happen at all and it proves that the rumours that he did not finish university could be true.