{UAH} UBHUCHE - THE POLITICAL TRICKS OF THE COMMON MAN.

UBHUCHE - THE POLITICAL TRICKS OF THE COMMON MAN.

The word "ubhuche" is from the Ndhali language in Malawi. The closest translation is "hiding the truth to survive".

After World War I, those who had been on the defeated German side developed a coping strategy that concealed their identities and involvement with the Germans.
They therefore made "creative adaptations" about their past when dealing with their new authority, the British.
This "Ubhuche" helped people to avoid the dangers of retribution by the new regime. It also helped them to live peacefully and to prosper without being hounded.
In Uganda, the new regime after Amin was hunting down "wapingamizi". A swahili word meaning "those who were against us"!?!
People also started practising Ubhuche in Uganda for the same reasons as Malawians.
They also learned to speak negatively about the previous government so as to appear friendly and loyal to the new one, even though the entire country had collectively and individually benefited from Amin.
Thirty years on, Ubhuche has become the official history of Uganda. Ordinary Ugandans who are 45 years and above are ubhuche specialists.

Hussein Amin.

(Adapted from a BBC story on the "ubhuche" topic.)

--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.