That president is, of course, non other than His Excellency President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin Dada Oumee, VC, DSO, MC, CBE, Lord of all the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea, and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular.
Five reasons why West Nile is more Congolese than Ugandan
West Nile is best known as the region that gave us the most famous Ugandan president of all time.
Recommended articles
Ahem.
This region beyond the Nile is also home to some of the most agreeable people in this country, which is interesting because they tend to look tough and mean.
But what most people don't know is that West Nile is more Congolese than Ugandan in more ways than one. This editor visited the area this week to find out what is so Congolese about West Nile, and her are the five reasons why this is so:
1 Ugandan products with French branding
While in West Nile, you will most likely land on Ugandan products whose branding is in French. It is not uncommon to find a Mukwano or Movit product whose branding is done in French. The reason for this is because they were originally packaged for Congo but because of the friendliness between West-Nilers and their Congolese neighbors, these products find their way on the Ugandan market. Oh, and by friendly we mean smuggling.
2 Black-market Congolese fuel
For decades now, probably since the 1970s, people in West Nile have always used smuggled fuel. If you ever visit Arua, ask anyone what the term 'OPEC boys' mean and you will be informed that those are the shadowy feul sellers in town. It is usually cheaper than the fuel on the Ugandan market, hence the reason the trade has survived decades of crack down.
3 Many can speak Lingala
During the upheavals that uprooted Idi Amin from his presidential seat in 1979, many West-Nilers sought refuge in Congo. The country was not very friendly to the natives of this region because of what Amin had been accused of doing in the 70s. So when Amin's presidency ended, many people went to live with their Congolese neighbors and stayed for many years. Most returned after 1986 when president Museveni took office. And by the time they returned, they spoke perfect Lingala and the children that were born to them too. That is why many people here speak Lingala.
4 Black-market bodabodas from Congo
In West Nile, you will be able to see brands of bodaboda that you have never seen in any other part of the country. This is because they are reportedly bought cheaperin Congo compared to Uganda. Congo is said to have much lower taxes on vehicles which makes the motorcycles on their market a lot cheaper.
5 The love for Congolese music
You know this for a fact if you have been to Arua park in Kampala. (By the way, there is Kampala Park in Arua too). People in West Nile love Congolese music more than they love Ugandan music and this is easily witnessed in Arua Park as it is in any town in West Nile. The love for Congolese music is believed to have started during the time West-Nilers sought refuge in Congo in the mid-1980s.
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: news@pulse.ug