{UAH} LT. MASABA SOLD TO UGANDAN AUTHORITIES, ESCAPES AGAIN

During difficult times, every living being look for refugee and assistance first from those closest to them. A buffalo, being hunted by Hyenas or Lions, will run in the direction of the herd. If it is within the herd, it will ran in the direction of the strongest Buffalo. By far, the behaviour of Apes, Buffalos, Baboons, Cats, Doves and Elephants is remarkable. Unlike other animals, when attacked, these creators form a united front against an enemy. They will attack the enemy, sacrifice themselves for one of their own. Doves are particularly interesting. Suicide is common in Doves, particularly when a Dove has acted in treachery. A sense of shame is common amongst these animals, in many aspects. And when they die, their kind give the dead a send off, like we do as humans. These animals hold vigils and mourn.

These creators have one thing in common. They hate their own that act treacherous. They will not kill them, but will completely push them away. After trouble, humans will always remember more the silence of those close to them more than the scorn of "enemies".

When I saw Masaba at the Kigali Serena, I was puzzled. I had been beaten at Gatuna, being asked about him. I genuinely had no idea where he was after I put him in that commuter taxi. After my whiskey, I resolved not to question anything. My breakfast arrived and I took it down quickly. I was later invited back to the table. Richard Kabonero was to give us an interview for the Independent. Andrew Mwenda asked the questions, I took the notes and recorded the interview. Took the photos too. Lt Masaba was also asked to move to another table. He too ordered breakfast, I don't remember what he ordered but one thing I do remember is he did have more than one potions of whatever he ate. The waitresses kept bringing food.

After the interview with Kabonero, I went and sat with Masaba for a few minutes as Andrew chatted with Richard. I asked Masaba how he got to Kigali. He told me he had come a day before me. He said as I and Godrick were waiting for our bus at Jaguar, he was crossing the border through a network of swamps drawn up for him by friendly CMI friends. As security focused on me, the price was long gone. We walked away from Andrew and Richard, to explore the Kigali Serena but soon, Andrew called me to bring him back. He was taken away apparently to freshen up. It would be nearly 8 months before I could see him again.

Before we met Lt Masaba, he had escaped the Presidential Guard Brigade to the Central African Republic. Masaba wanted a promotion. He was fed up of presidential chair guard duty. Masaba, at one point, was part of the 181 Battalion, a force that did horrible things in Northern Uganda. That is another story. Masaba wanted more for his role in Northern Uganda and when he become too vocal because other member of that former battalion had been promoted consistently, he was arrested and locked up at Makindye Barracks. When they set him free, he fled the country, to CAR pretending to be a refugee.

Unfortunately, like me, Masaba did not know how to keep his mouth shut. At the UN CAR refugee camp, he told stories of his soldiering in Northern Uganda. Poor fellow, not all refugees in that camp, in any camp anyway, are refugees. Soon, the son of former CAR President Francos Bozize heard about this boy, came and took him to his father. President Bozize, after listening to Masaba, promised him heaven. He told Masaba he would take him to France where he would be safe. President Bozize and Lt Masaba sat in a plane together apparently going to France only for that plane to land at Entebbe Airport.

Masaba was handed over to someone I will not mention. He escaped from this man 4 months later.

We enjoyed our stay in Kigali, worked hard and played hard. I returned to Kampala to my wife and children. Told my wife only about the trouble, no RPF women stories, no nightclubs stories. I was a good boy in Kigali but was I??? I was a lion!!!

The rest of this story will puzzle most of you because I will reveal very little.  Masaba was kept in a faculty and milked. He was given every thing he wanted. Before he knew it, he was having a second Bozize experience- This time by road on a Lorry. As soon as that lorry crossed the border, Masaba jumped off. He was shot at but managed to disappear. He was put of a switch of detainees switched for political interests. Lambs!!

I was at the line of bars at the Nsambya medical stores, Drinking my waragi. I had ordered some chips and eggs plus goat meat. Madam and the babies where in Jinja at jaja's. My home wa stagnating distance so when food was ready, I paid my bill and walked towards my home. It was around 11pm I remember. My Pakistani neighbor had an electronic shop in Kabalagala. I saw him walking home so I quickly followed him and we chatted as we approached our gate. I had hidden his wife and kids once before he prepared their papers to stay in Uganda. So he was and remains a brother. Today, he does not pick my calls. But he is fine, and I am happy he is.

We entered the compound but as I closed the gate, someone pushed it calling my name. I sobered up a little, looked, it was Masaba nearly 8 months after I saw him at the Kigali Serena. From that moment, Masaba stayed with me for 19 days, each day, I returned home to interview him, and took notes too. Audio recording to. 19 tapes of unbelievable information fueled by Royal Vodka and goats meat. Masaba hated pork, I don't know why really!!!!!!

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