{UAH} NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A "UGANDA" TABOO

Ugandan woman defies cultural taboos by learning to ride a bike in Cambridge

By Cambridge News  |  Posted: August 10, 2015

Aisha Shu has now learned how to ride a bike after arriving in Cambridge more than 10 years ago

A Ugandan woman has defied cultural taboos and learned to ride a bike after living in Cambridge for more than 10 years.

Aisha Shu, 33, says it is almost unheard of for a woman to cycle in her home country due to fears it will compromise their virginity.

But following a friend's encouragement, Aisha discovered the "liberating" joy of pedal power – but has still yet to tell her mum about her new mode of transport.

Aisha, a support worker, said: "In Uganda not many people cycle and women definitely do not.

"They are told they will lose their virginity and will be gossiped about.

"But even women who have had children like my mother do not do so either. They cannot ride motorbikes without a driver too and then must sit sideways."

After nearly 10 years of living in one of the UK's biggest cycling cities, Aisha finally picked up a bike after she began volunteering for a charity which helps people of all abilities learn to ride.

She explained: "My friend

Andrew Edwards told me it's no good me helping people to ride a bike when I cannot do so myself, so he bought me my first bike.

"But it turned out to be so convenient. One cannot be caught up in traffic – it's so liberating. I feel free while cycling."

Aisha now hopes a cycling revolution will one day make its way to Uganda – but says it would take a brave woman to break the taboo over there.

She said: "We travel miles to get to places – for example, if you live in a village, schools and hospitals are really, really far.

"But there are few transport options available. Few people can afford a car. I lived in the city Kampala but even I walked four miles to school every morning and then back again.

"It would help us if we were allowed to use bikes because they are so convenient and do not need petrol."

She added: "I don't know if I would be brave enough to take my bike though. Maybe one day I will see if I can get away with it."

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Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower

"But this I know, UPC believed and still believes in

very high education. We can call Obote all bad names we have, but the bottom line remains that he got more scholarships for Buganda than all previous Uganda leaders combined. That includes Sir Edward Mutesa, President Lule, President Binayisa, up to and into Ssabasajja Mutebi. Who all happen to be Baganda leaders." Mulindwa

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