Lumumba hall is known for its defiance but the name of its chairman surpasses all imagination.
“I am Sweet Kamanah” Gerald Wabugoya, a third year Law student at Makerere University and Lumumba hall chairman proudly introduces himself to the chagrin of some and amusement of others. This name has gotten him his fair share of fame due to its native Luganda meaning. Defiance is key to being a Lumumba Hall leader and with a name like Kamanah, Wabugoya had passed his test. Wabugoya goes to Law school dressed in his famous Kamanah shirt .
“It’s not my fault that this name has other meanings to some,” Kamanah told the Bee.
However, while some get used, a new eye captures the label on his jersey with surprise. The name never seems to lose the ability to petrify. Why would it? This is Central Buganda and University students probably have tales about the word “kamana” from their childhood.
The mention of the word emana would send your parent crookedly chasing after your young, short self charging on stubby legs that would shortly kiss the ground to set your buttocks in position for an ass tearing whipping.
“swiiisssssh” the cane would swipe through the air before kissing your tightened ass. And the pain never disappointed. It would come in handy as the first brave sounds of “aaayaaa” soon turned weak with sobbing. Why the suffering? -Because you mentioned a “bad” word. But what makes it bad word?
Well, the word Kamana comes from Emana in Luganda which means, Vagina. Just like many use pussy (cat) in English to avoid vagina, so do the Baganda avoid emana. It is so sacred that our fore grandfathers went to pains to avoid it. I joke not- See these famous names;
Akasolo; a name used to refer to the vagina as small animal. Many mothers will call the vagina ;Kampala, Africa, susu, Pepe, wiwi, Chuuchu- any word ,but avoid emana. (I write but would never say it myself).
Kamanah adds ” sweet” to his introductions.
“The name is Sweet Kamanah.The ladies love it,” he sheepishly says.
Also, as chairman of the most notorious Lumumba Hall, Kamanah is always at the forefront of orchestrating strikes at the ivory tower. He has faced many arrests before, during and after strikes; especially during the fight for the scrapping off of the 60% tuition policy that required students to pay up all their tuition by the sixth week of the semester.
But whether your annoyed or amused, Kamanah says the name is here to stay.
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