Alarmed by the state of his lecture rooms in light of the ever increasing tuition fees, and the “semesterly” strikes that keep disrupting life at Makerere University, a student at Africa’s 3rd best University has “re-composed” Makerere’s anthem to reflect ‘the situation on ground’.
Cheekily employing pun to his advantage, Jacob Katumusiime, a 3rd year literature student, makes the parody sound like the real anthem to an unsuspecting person who may know but not be well-versed with it.
Asked what inspired him to come up with the pseudo-anthem, Jacob speaks with an inflection that betrays the discontentment he feels towards Makerere. “Many things inspired me to write that parody. First was the alarming situation of some lecture rooms despite the ever increasing tution. Secondly, the incessant lecturers’ and non-teaching staff strikes heightened by the never ceasing student strikes.
I examined the situation and realised that everybody in the university was discontented.
I compared the pride that Makerere accords to her students today to that it used to give to her graduates in the late 1960’s and realised a total rift. This is what inspired me to shed my tears on paper.
Generally, the situation brought to mind the luganda word “Bufere” (conning) which in a way rhymed with Makerere. Hence my coinage of “Bufere-re.” says Jacob. Here is the anthem:
CHORUS
Makerere, Bufere-re
We rob from the future, the great Makerere
Great great and Mighty, the wolves around thee
Great great and Mighty, the theft beside thee x2
(1)
From East and West, from North and South
All voices mourning, the death of Makerere
Morning and night, evening and day
All voices mourning, the death of Makerere.
CHORUS
(2)
Do not forget, through all the years
You who have gone through, the gates of Makerere
Come back and save, give us the pride
To also remember, the gates of Makerere
CHORUS
(3)
Those who here be, seek ye the truth
Build for the future, the great Makerere
Those here have been, those here will be
Oh let’s unite, and rebuild Makerere.
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Jacob Katumusiime describes himself as a Literature student obsessed with word-craft. He is President Emeritus of the Makerere University Literature Association (LITASS) with a great liking for poetry which he has performed at various local platforms.
One question remains though: Is Jacob’s parody of the University anthem acceptable?
