From the Archives -Animal Farm. Written in 2005 but remains true.

I need someone to explain this to me! I am a kadogo from Luwero who saw my family massacred by Obote's soldiers. I found my way into a guerilla camp, was treated with kindness and grew up there. I was adopted by the gun which became my mother with Museveni being my father. We sung patriotic songs and shot the hell out of the adui.



Once in Kampala I was sent to Gulu, sat on a mine, lost half my leg and retired to Luwero without a pension. I am still loyal to muzeyi and wheneve campaigns come around I go around and mobilise the boda boda brigade.



Despite having fought side by side with afende Saleh, Kazini, Muntu, and Besigye, I do not blame them for my poverty and admire their pajeros and range rovers when they dust me on their way to more important duties.



I believe in the revolution. Like Boxer in Animal Farm, I will toil and sweat for the revolution with my last breath. I accept it when the pigs sleep in fine linen and eat all the apples for I know I am not too bright and the pigs need the apples for their brain power. I even accepted it when they started dealing with humans like Banya and company and paying them the fruits of my labour!



Now they tell me farmer Jones is coming back! I am confused. I thought farmer Jones was the enemy and the revolution was about chasing him away and creating a utopia for the animals devoid of his cruelty. Furthermore he is coming back with priviledges paid for by my sweat.



At times like this I think of all the sacrifices we have made. Accepted all the stories told us by the pigs and foregone all the conforts we were promised prior to the revolution in the hope that the future will be better and anything -anything other than the tyranny of farmer Jones is acceptable.



Now I look into Farmer Jones farm house and see the pigs socialising with humans and i look from man to pig, from pig to man and wonder why they have started to all look alike! Maybe my eyes are going old!



At times like this I wish I had my Animal Farm with me. Have not read the book for more than 15 years but still find it usefull!



Can someone remind me -in the real Animal Farm (the soviet Union) didn't the animals finally chase the pigs away? If I were a pig I would watch my corner! Not everyone is willing to forgive and forget farmer Jones!

Drew Dembe