By
Mulumba Ivan Matthias Download pdf, epub, mobi
No
street light burned. No bulbs on the buildings. Car headlights lit
the narrow streets. The buildings,
mostly wooden and rusty iron sheet structures, were maize mills and
welding workshops fronting filthy trenches.
street light burned. No bulbs on the buildings. Car headlights lit
the narrow streets. The buildings,
mostly wooden and rusty iron sheet structures, were maize mills and
welding workshops fronting filthy trenches.
Tenywa
observed them, silently taking in every detail.
observed them, silently taking in every detail.
“What
a neighbourhood!”
he
said
to himself. He stood on top of Ovino mall, a mammoth development
with banking halls, motels, restaurants, shops, stores. From there,
he could see the whole of Kisenyi, the few lights glowing in the
darkness and the rush of people returning home.
a neighbourhood!”
he
said
to himself. He stood on top of Ovino mall, a mammoth development
with banking halls, motels, restaurants, shops, stores. From there,
he could see the whole of Kisenyi, the few lights glowing in the
darkness and the rush of people returning home.
He
checked
his watch. It was eight
thirty, two
hours since his brother called. But he still hadn’t shown up.
Tenywa
was tired of waiting. He was accustomed to returning to his room
before seven. With no job, there was nothing to keep him in town
after sunset.
checked
his watch. It was eight
thirty, two
hours since his brother called. But he still hadn’t shown up.
Tenywa
was tired of waiting. He was accustomed to returning to his room
before seven. With no job, there was nothing to keep him in town
after sunset.
He
had called his brother several times. Each time, he had got the same
answer. “Give me ten minutes.” Forty minutes had passed since
the last time.
had called his brother several times. Each time, he had got the same
answer. “Give me ten minutes.” Forty minutes had passed since
the last time.
Tenywa
needed the money. All
he had left was a thousand shillings. It couldn’t cater for his
supper, or transport to return to town the next day for a job
interview.
needed the money. All
he had left was a thousand shillings. It couldn’t cater for his
supper, or transport to return to town the next day for a job
interview.
On
the road below, a pick-up truck loaded with sacks of maize was stuck
in a pothole. Traffic had stopped flowing. The drivers caught in the
deadlock honked over and over.
the road below, a pick-up truck loaded with sacks of maize was stuck
in a pothole. Traffic had stopped flowing. The drivers caught in the
deadlock honked over and over.
The
pick-up’s tires screeched, dust rose in the air, but it did not get
out.
pick-up’s tires screeched, dust rose in the air, but it did not get
out.
Other
drivers screamed at the driver.
drivers screamed at the driver.
“Is
it your first time to drive?” one yelled.
it your first time to drive?” one yelled.
“Can’t
you reverse?” another said. “If the car has failed to move ahead
move it backwards. Use your brain.”
you reverse?” another said. “If the car has failed to move ahead
move it backwards. Use your brain.”
Bystanders,
who were now covered in dust, also vented their fury on him.
who were now covered in dust, also vented their fury on him.
“The
car won’t move but you keep at it until everyone is covered in
dust,” an elderly man, walking past the pickup with a black
polythene, said.
car won’t move but you keep at it until everyone is covered in
dust,” an elderly man, walking past the pickup with a black
polythene, said.
“Keep
trying, fool, until there are no tyres left,” another man said.
trying, fool, until there are no tyres left,” another man said.
One
of the people jumped into his Pajero, and reversed to the
pick-up. He attached a chain to tow the pick-up. The stuck driver
did not object.
of the people jumped into his Pajero, and reversed to the
pick-up. He attached a chain to tow the pick-up. The stuck driver
did not object.
The
Pajero revved. The chain splintered and it dashed forward. It missed
a boda-boda rider by a whisker. The rider hurled insults at the
Pajero but did not stop. The pick-up truck barely moved.
Pajero revved. The chain splintered and it dashed forward. It missed
a boda-boda rider by a whisker. The rider hurled insults at the
Pajero but did not stop. The pick-up truck barely moved.
“Get
a bigger car,” someone suggested. A Fuso lorry drove in, but like
the Pajero, it failed.
a bigger car,” someone suggested. A Fuso lorry drove in, but like
the Pajero, it failed.
“The
car is heavy,” someone said. “Offload it first. Is that so hard
to figure out? Pig!” Laughter broke out.
car is heavy,” someone said. “Offload it first. Is that so hard
to figure out? Pig!” Laughter broke out.
Tenywa
turned away from the pick-up. He walked around the building to
relieve the pain that had built-up in his legs. He went past a
sports betting room. The gambling youth called it a stock market.
turned away from the pick-up. He walked around the building to
relieve the pain that had built-up in his legs. He went past a
sports betting room. The gambling youth called it a stock market.
Benches
littered the inside of the room, facing different directions. A
42-inch flat screen TV sat on the wall. It totally mismatched the
décor and furniture. There were six people inside, their eyes glued
to a noticeboard with football fixtures. The cashier, a small lady
with a cleanly shaved head, dosed behind the counter.
littered the inside of the room, facing different directions. A
42-inch flat screen TV sat on the wall. It totally mismatched the
décor and furniture. There were six people inside, their eyes glued
to a noticeboard with football fixtures. The cashier, a small lady
with a cleanly shaved head, dosed behind the counter.
“Not
a good day I guess,”
Tenywa
mumbled, and continued. He switched on the radio on his phone.
Paulo Kafero’s song, Kampala mu Kooti, was playing on an FM
station. He did not like it. He changed the station. The next one had
a talk show. He changed again, and again, but most had talk shows.
The few with music played the kind not to his liking.
a good day I guess,”
Tenywa
mumbled, and continued. He switched on the radio on his phone.
Paulo Kafero’s song, Kampala mu Kooti, was playing on an FM
station. He did not like it. He changed the station. The next one had
a talk show. He changed again, and again, but most had talk shows.
The few with music played the kind not to his liking.
He
switched off the radio and studied the mall. The shops, the banking
halls, and the parking yard, were all asleep. It was hard to believe
that during day people filled the place. He looked at the adjacent
towers. They stared back as if yearning for a human soul to stroll
through them. Tenywa returned to the balcony.
switched off the radio and studied the mall. The shops, the banking
halls, and the parking yard, were all asleep. It was hard to believe
that during day people filled the place. He looked at the adjacent
towers. They stared back as if yearning for a human soul to stroll
through them. Tenywa returned to the balcony.
Traffic
flowed again. The pick-up had gotten out of the pothole. Five men
were reloading it. Tenywa studied the people walking in front of the
mall, hoping to see his brother. It was in vain. A shade of
disappointment crossed his face. He leaned on the balcony and studied
the activity on the road, the traders closing shops. Some were quiet
as if the day’s losses had taken all power of speech out of them.
Others talked endlessly about football, business, and the car that
had just gotten out of the pothole. Tenywa listened intently. It took
away the loneliness and made the wait less tiring.
flowed again. The pick-up had gotten out of the pothole. Five men
were reloading it. Tenywa studied the people walking in front of the
mall, hoping to see his brother. It was in vain. A shade of
disappointment crossed his face. He leaned on the balcony and studied
the activity on the road, the traders closing shops. Some were quiet
as if the day’s losses had taken all power of speech out of them.
Others talked endlessly about football, business, and the car that
had just gotten out of the pothole. Tenywa listened intently. It took
away the loneliness and made the wait less tiring.
His
brother, Stephen, arrived thirty minutes later.
brother, Stephen, arrived thirty minutes later.
“Sorry
I’m late,” he said. “A client told me to wait for him but he
did not show up.” Tenywa did not say a word. Stephen reached into
the back pocket of his trousers for a wallet, and pulled out a ten
thousand shillings note.
I’m late,” he said. “A client told me to wait for him but he
did not show up.” Tenywa did not say a word. Stephen reached into
the back pocket of his trousers for a wallet, and pulled out a ten
thousand shillings note.
“You
had asked for twenty thousand but I could only get ten. I might get
more tomorrow. If I do, I will give you a call.”
had asked for twenty thousand but I could only get ten. I might get
more tomorrow. If I do, I will give you a call.”
Tenywa
took the money and they left Ovino mall together. He walked at a
slower pace. He was disappointed and enraged at being made to wait
for so long and not getting what he had hoped for. Wary of pick
pockets, he moved his wallet from the back pocket to the side pocket.
They walked to the new taxi park.
took the money and they left Ovino mall together. He walked at a
slower pace. He was disappointed and enraged at being made to wait
for so long and not getting what he had hoped for. Wary of pick
pockets, he moved his wallet from the back pocket to the side pocket.
They walked to the new taxi park.
Tenywa
remembered that he needed to buy movies. They relieved stress and
loneliness.
He changed direction as soon as he reached Namirembe road and headed
for Zai plaza. He did not tell his brother good night.
remembered that he needed to buy movies. They relieved stress and
loneliness.
He changed direction as soon as he reached Namirembe road and headed
for Zai plaza. He did not tell his brother good night.
When
he got there, a guard blocked the entrance.
he got there, a guard blocked the entrance.
“It
is closed,” the guard said.
is closed,” the guard said.
“I
won’t take long,” Tenywa said. “I’m just picking one movie from
that shop and then I will be on my way.’ Tenywa pointed at a shop,
the only one still open. The guard looked at it. The shop attendants
were wrapping up.
won’t take long,” Tenywa said. “I’m just picking one movie from
that shop and then I will be on my way.’ Tenywa pointed at a shop,
the only one still open. The guard looked at it. The shop attendants
were wrapping up.
“Unless
you give me five hundred shillings,” the guard said, “you are
not entering the building.”
you give me five hundred shillings,” the guard said, “you are
not entering the building.”
“I’m
not going to take long.” Tenywa said. “I will take less than five
minutes. You can’t charge me for that.” The guard just wore a
plastic smile.
not going to take long.” Tenywa said. “I will take less than five
minutes. You can’t charge me for that.” The guard just wore a
plastic smile.
Three
women came down the stairs on their way out of the building. The
guard turned to greet them. Tenywa saw an opportunity. He tried to
enter but the guard reached for an old AK 47.
women came down the stairs on their way out of the building. The
guard turned to greet them. Tenywa saw an opportunity. He tried to
enter but the guard reached for an old AK 47.
“Since
you’ve decided to use force,’ he said, with a smirk on his face,
“you will not enter the building tonight.”
you’ve decided to use force,’ he said, with a smirk on his face,
“you will not enter the building tonight.”
“I’m
just going to pick one movie,” Tenywa said. “Nothing else.”
just going to pick one movie,” Tenywa said. “Nothing else.”
“This
is not the only place where movies are sold,’ the guard said. “Is
it?”
is not the only place where movies are sold,’ the guard said. “Is
it?”
Tenywa’s
face was trembling. He gritted his teeth and knotted his palms into
fists. The guard was young, not more than twenty five. He was small
too. If they fought, he would definitely lose.
face was trembling. He gritted his teeth and knotted his palms into
fists. The guard was young, not more than twenty five. He was small
too. If they fought, he would definitely lose.
Who
did he think he was? The owner of the building? How dare he stop him?
A guard! How dare he?
did he think he was? The owner of the building? How dare he stop him?
A guard! How dare he?
“He
will shoot you,” one of the women told Tenywa. “You should calm
down. They are just movies. They are not worth your life.”
will shoot you,” one of the women told Tenywa. “You should calm
down. They are just movies. They are not worth your life.”
Tenywa
glanced at the movie shop, then at the guard. For a while, he just
stood there, torn between walking away and forcing his way in.
glanced at the movie shop, then at the guard. For a while, he just
stood there, torn between walking away and forcing his way in.
He
eventually backed down and left.
eventually backed down and left.
“Go
and buy movies elsewhere,” the guard yelled at him.
and buy movies elsewhere,” the guard yelled at him.
Tenywa
turned and glared, struggling to restrain himself. He jeered and
stomped away, following the same route he had enthusiastically
climbed uphill. Twice, boda-bodas almost knocked him. He cursed the
riders. He walked to the stage in the old taxi park where taxis to
Lubaga road park.
turned and glared, struggling to restrain himself. He jeered and
stomped away, following the same route he had enthusiastically
climbed uphill. Twice, boda-bodas almost knocked him. He cursed the
riders. He walked to the stage in the old taxi park where taxis to
Lubaga road park.
Only
one taxi was available. There were more passengers than it could
carry. They fought to enter as soon as its door slid open. Sex and
age did not mater. Women, men, young or old, they all fought.
one taxi was available. There were more passengers than it could
carry. They fought to enter as soon as its door slid open. Sex and
age did not mater. Women, men, young or old, they all fought.
Tenywa
kept his distance. Engaging in another fight would spark an exchange
of blows given the situation he had just walked away from. He wanted
to calm down and give his mind some peace.
kept his distance. Engaging in another fight would spark an exchange
of blows given the situation he had just walked away from. He wanted
to calm down and give his mind some peace.
Three
people entered the front seats instead of two. The driver told one
of them to get out but she refused. She pretended not to have heard
him. She wore such a serious look, the driver eventually gave up and
looked away from her.
people entered the front seats instead of two. The driver told one
of them to get out but she refused. She pretended not to have heard
him. She wore such a serious look, the driver eventually gave up and
looked away from her.
At
the back, there were more than sixteen passengers, all brimming with
joy after surviving another hour of waiting. The driver pleaded. He
wanted some of them to step out. But his pleas simply bypassed their
ears.
the back, there were more than sixteen passengers, all brimming with
joy after surviving another hour of waiting. The driver pleaded. He
wanted some of them to step out. But his pleas simply bypassed their
ears.
“Take
all of us,” a woman told him. “It won’t be the first time you
will be taking excess. We will pay you.” The conductor, still
outside, looked at the driver to see what he would say. The driver
was confused.
all of us,” a woman told him. “It won’t be the first time you
will be taking excess. We will pay you.” The conductor, still
outside, looked at the driver to see what he would say. The driver
was confused.
“There
are traffic policemen on the road,” he said.
are traffic policemen on the road,” he said.
“We
will pass through Kisenyi,” a passenger suggested. “There are
usually no policemen there.”
will pass through Kisenyi,” a passenger suggested. “There are
usually no policemen there.”
“There
is a lot of traffic jam there,’ the driver went on. “We might
spend an hour on the road.”
is a lot of traffic jam there,’ the driver went on. “We might
spend an hour on the road.”
“So
you are turning down an opportunity to earn more money,’ another
passenger said. “You must have made a fortune during day.”
you are turning down an opportunity to earn more money,’ another
passenger said. “You must have made a fortune during day.”
The
driver succumbed.
driver succumbed.
Closing
the door was not easy when the conductor got in. The driver had to
get out of the taxi and close the door, making sure that he did not
harm anyone. He returned to his seat and started the taxi. Tenywa
watched it groan way, with twenty one passengers instead of fourteen.
the door was not easy when the conductor got in. The driver had to
get out of the taxi and close the door, making sure that he did not
harm anyone. He returned to his seat and started the taxi. Tenywa
watched it groan way, with twenty one passengers instead of fourteen.
Twenty
minutes passed before another taxi came. The struggle to enter it was
similar to the one before. Once again, Tenywa watched from a
distance. The passengers filled it and it left. This one took
fourteen passengers.
minutes passed before another taxi came. The struggle to enter it was
similar to the one before. Once again, Tenywa watched from a
distance. The passengers filled it and it left. This one took
fourteen passengers.
Four
taxis came to the stage at the same time. Two of them loaded
passengers and left. Still, people fought to enter. Tenywa boarded
the third. This time, there was no fighting.
taxis came to the stage at the same time. Two of them loaded
passengers and left. Still, people fought to enter. Tenywa boarded
the third. This time, there was no fighting.
The
ride back home was rough. The
driver seemed to have signed a death wish. He accelerated
unnecessarily, even over potholes , and he drove mostly on the wrong
side. Twice, he narrowly collided with other cars as he overtook.
Tenywa regretted boarding, but he could not get out. If he did, he
would have to pay the fare for the entire trip.
ride back home was rough. The
driver seemed to have signed a death wish. He accelerated
unnecessarily, even over potholes , and he drove mostly on the wrong
side. Twice, he narrowly collided with other cars as he overtook.
Tenywa regretted boarding, but he could not get out. If he did, he
would have to pay the fare for the entire trip.
The
taxi slowed down at Pride Theatre junction before branching onto
Lubaga road. It surged forward, at a more terrible speed than before,
pushing the passengers forward. Some hit their heads on the roof.
Others gripped the head rests and their seats, to avoid crashing into
each other.
“You
are not driving cattle,” a passenger yelled.
are not driving cattle,” a passenger yelled.
“You
shouldn’t put our lives in danger, for money,” said another.
shouldn’t put our lives in danger, for money,” said another.
Tenywa
was silent. The encounter with the guard at Zai plaza still haunted
him. He
knew that conductors and taxi drivers were abusive. If he turned his
anger on them, he would get more than he bargained for. Besides, he
was seated next to the conductor.
was silent. The encounter with the guard at Zai plaza still haunted
him. He
knew that conductors and taxi drivers were abusive. If he turned his
anger on them, he would get more than he bargained for. Besides, he
was seated next to the conductor.
The
driver did not say a word. He didn’t slow down either. He just
accelerated.
driver did not say a word. He didn’t slow down either. He just
accelerated.
There
was mild traffic near Kabaka Anjagala round about. The taxi slowed
down, almost coming to a halt. The driver honked several times to
force other cars to move.
was mild traffic near Kabaka Anjagala round about. The taxi slowed
down, almost coming to a halt. The driver honked several times to
force other cars to move.
“I
have to make two trips,” he said impatiently. “I must recover the
fine the traffic officer made us pay.’ He honked again, this time
at length. He did not stop until the cars in front, moved. He dashed
forward, past the roundabout, and started the climb on Kabaka
Anjagala road, towards Bulange.
have to make two trips,” he said impatiently. “I must recover the
fine the traffic officer made us pay.’ He honked again, this time
at length. He did not stop until the cars in front, moved. He dashed
forward, past the roundabout, and started the climb on Kabaka
Anjagala road, towards Bulange.
The
passengers were stunned.
passengers were stunned.
“Where
are you taking us?” a woman in one of the front seats demanded.
are you taking us?” a woman in one of the front seats demanded.
“What
demons have taken over you?” another asked.
demons have taken over you?” another asked.
“Did
you first drink before coming to work?” It was a man this time.
“You shouldn’t drink and drive.”
you first drink before coming to work?” It was a man this time.
“You shouldn’t drink and drive.”
Tenywa
did not breathe a word.
did not breathe a word.
“This
trip is for Lubaga road,’ the conductor reminded the driver. “Not
Bulange.”
trip is for Lubaga road,’ the conductor reminded the driver. “Not
Bulange.”
“God,”
the driver said and hit the steering wheel with his palms. “It had
skipped my mind.” He jeered and looked around for an access road.
He turned the taxi around at the first access he saw, and returned to
the roundabout.
the driver said and hit the steering wheel with his palms. “It had
skipped my mind.” He jeered and looked around for an access road.
He turned the taxi around at the first access he saw, and returned to
the roundabout.
Once
again, there was mild traffic. Unlike before, he did not honk. He
waited until the road cleared, and then the demons returned. He
stepped on the accelerator until the passengers were forced to hold
on to their seats.
again, there was mild traffic. Unlike before, he did not honk. He
waited until the road cleared, and then the demons returned. He
stepped on the accelerator until the passengers were forced to hold
on to their seats.
When
time came for passengers to get off, he got agitated. He stopped the
taxi, grumbling.
time came for passengers to get off, he got agitated. He stopped the
taxi, grumbling.
“Hurry,”
he said heatedly. “Other passengers also have to get home.”
he said heatedly. “Other passengers also have to get home.”
A
man and woman took their time to get off.
man and woman took their time to get off.
“That’s
why I hate having female passengers,” the driver said angrily and
hit the steering wheel with his fists. “They waste time, take
forever to get off. This is a business. Don’t mess it up.” The
door closed and the taxi sped away.
why I hate having female passengers,” the driver said angrily and
hit the steering wheel with his fists. “They waste time, take
forever to get off. This is a business. Don’t mess it up.” The
door closed and the taxi sped away.
When
Tenywa’s turn came to get off, he hurried out. The conductor pushed
the door to close as soon as Tenywa’s feet touched the ground, and
then the taxi dashed off.
Tenywa’s turn came to get off, he hurried out. The conductor pushed
the door to close as soon as Tenywa’s feet touched the ground, and
then the taxi dashed off.
“And
I thought mine had been the worst day,” Tenywa said, shaking his
head, and he crossed to the opposite side of the road to begin the
climb to his room.
I thought mine had been the worst day,” Tenywa said, shaking his
head, and he crossed to the opposite side of the road to begin the
climb to his room.
His
heart sank when he got there. The compound was the only one without
power.
heart sank when he got there. The compound was the only one without
power.
“Not
again,” he groaned. The land lady had assured him that the power
problem had been solved.
again,” he groaned. The land lady had assured him that the power
problem had been solved.
“That
woman!” he said. “All she knows is to ask for rent, never to pay
the electricity bills. I have to cook, iron clothes, and watch …
aahh.” He kicked a stone in the walk way and walked to his room.
He unlocked the padlocks, entered, and locked the door.
woman!” he said. “All she knows is to ask for rent, never to pay
the electricity bills. I have to cook, iron clothes, and watch …
aahh.” He kicked a stone in the walk way and walked to his room.
He unlocked the padlocks, entered, and locked the door.
Guided
by the torch on his phone, he walked to the corner where he kept a
lamp. He shook it. There wasn’t a single drop of paraffin. He put
it down and picked the paraffin bottle. It was also empty.
by the torch on his phone, he walked to the corner where he kept a
lamp. He shook it. There wasn’t a single drop of paraffin. He put
it down and picked the paraffin bottle. It was also empty.
He
stood there for a while, trying to figure out what to do. The nearest
petrol station was a kilometre away. There wasn’t enough strength
left in him to walk to it. There was little he could do in the
darkness. Even bathing was out of the question. The bathrooms were
messy most of the time. Who knows what he would step in if he dared
to go there now?
stood there for a while, trying to figure out what to do. The nearest
petrol station was a kilometre away. There wasn’t enough strength
left in him to walk to it. There was little he could do in the
darkness. Even bathing was out of the question. The bathrooms were
messy most of the time. Who knows what he would step in if he dared
to go there now?
He
took off his shoes and sat on the bed. He stayed there for a while,
as if trying to squeeze an answer from the semi darkness.
took off his shoes and sat on the bed. He stayed there for a while,
as if trying to squeeze an answer from the semi darkness.
He
stood up, stripped to the briefs, and got into his bed.
stood up, stripped to the briefs, and got into his bed.
I
will bathe in the morning, he mused. One night won’t kill me. He
forgot the supper he had intended to have, closed his eyes and
summoned sleep, hoping that the next day would be better.
will bathe in the morning, he mused. One night won’t kill me. He
forgot the supper he had intended to have, closed his eyes and
summoned sleep, hoping that the next day would be better.
≈≈
≈≈
Mulumba
Ivan Matthias
is a Ugandan author living in Kampala, Uganda. He is a valuation
surveyor by trade. He is the author of a collection of poems, Poetry
In Motion, published in 2012. His poetry and short fiction have
appeared in print anthologies, and online in The Kalahari Review,
Readers’ Café Africa, Africa book club and Munyori Literary
Journal, among others. He writes a blog,
http://mimulumba.wordpress.com/
Ivan Matthias
is a Ugandan author living in Kampala, Uganda. He is a valuation
surveyor by trade. He is the author of a collection of poems, Poetry
In Motion, published in 2012. His poetry and short fiction have
appeared in print anthologies, and online in The Kalahari Review,
Readers’ Café Africa, Africa book club and Munyori Literary
Journal, among others. He writes a blog,
http://mimulumba.wordpress.com/
Also in this issue
Short
Fiction
Playing Games in the Delta by Lauri Kubuitsile
In Her Sister’s Shadow by Hannah Onoguwe
Jar of misfortune by Mulumba Ivan Matthias
Jaw’ed Angel by Yazeed Dezele
Poetry
Like My Mind by David Ishaya Osu
The Plan by David Ishaya Osu
A Cancellation by Ali Znaidi
I’m Unlike My Mother by Liz Leppy
Spoken Word
Inside the Mind of a Happy Side Dish by Acen Miriam Carolyne
BN Poetry Awards
Special
Interview with Tom Jalio
Short
Fiction
Playing Games in the Delta by Lauri Kubuitsile
In Her Sister’s Shadow by Hannah Onoguwe
Jar of misfortune by Mulumba Ivan Matthias
Jaw’ed Angel by Yazeed Dezele
Poetry
Like My Mind by David Ishaya Osu
The Plan by David Ishaya Osu
A Cancellation by Ali Znaidi
I’m Unlike My Mother by Liz Leppy
Spoken Word
Inside the Mind of a Happy Side Dish by Acen Miriam Carolyne
BN Poetry Awards
Special
Interview with Tom Jalio
