The day started out normal like any other
After having water for breakfast
I set out to look for something little
Maybe just to bribe the stomach into silence.
The sun was out and bright
And I toiled under the scotching sun.
Maybe today, I’ll afford a cup of sugarless porridge.
And as I worked, my stomach grumbled
As though it couldn’t understand my financial situation.
For God’s sake it was just midday.
And just what I needed to make the day worse
The police came
Tossing tear gas canisters left, right and centre
Shooting live ammunition into the air
And also at people.
Wonder why?
Because they couldn’t afford the taxi fare
Or even fuel their own cars.
I’m not complaining because I’m broke
And can’t even afford a decent meal.
But how about those innocent children
That were suffocated when a tear gas canister
Was shot in their class?
What wrong had they done?
What about that newly born baby in that health centre
Who’s first breath outside the womb?
Was purely tear gas?
What a way to be ushered into the world!
And the pregnant woman that was shot in the stomach?
And as if the shooting, beating and tear gas were not enough
The police bundled us on their pickup trucks
And off to the police station we were taken.
In the small cell at the police post
We struggled for fresh air
Amidst the smelly feet and cologne mixed with sweat.
We were so crowded
I could barely feel my feet on the ground.
And there was hardly any light in the cell.
After what seemed like eternity,
The doors were swung open
It was time to go to court.
When I looked at my watch,
It was 1:00 PM.
~ Imelda Mirembe ~
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