The Turmoil of Hope

When the boiling point is reached, what is meant to happen happens. No gear or cloud can impede the explosion.

Mean, frustrated and hot-tempered security officers filled the streets. Units like RECCE, ASTU, GSU, Regular Police, Anti-terror Police and even military police were all called to work. Called to deal with anarchists. Called to deal with criminals. Called to deal with treasonous gangs. Really? We who could not even carry a club or whip had gained such names? We who were crying deeply and painfully for good governance had become anarchists? It was deeply concerning .We could not fathom all military might, police might and even mercenaries might that was brutally being unleashed on us. It was a sign of complete insanity from the political class. Bushiangala Nation was being run by insane humans. We were being sacrificed at the altar of justice. We were being trashed and thrown out to the wolves to be devoured for asking for good governance.

Boom…boom…. The air turned from tension to chaos. Our matching attire sold us out. But again, it was our mark of defiance. On our heads was the flag of our nation, our tops were black t-shirts and trousers of choice. It was imperative that we have this tools of defiance just to show the mean security agencies how peaceful and harmless we were; that’s if they cared to think.

Teargas cannisters were hurled at us. Stinging water sprayed in our direction, live bullets and rubber bullets given priority over lives but thinking about the hell that was awaiting in the Bill made all these brutal acts look like a child’s play.

This was 24th June. A month still simmering in my mind with painful nostalgia. We moved from street to street voicing our concerns about the bill. Bullets were not going to stop our resolve. If this stage of the legislation was passed, then it only remained voting for the bill and then we would be doomed for a whole year. We , the bashiangala youthful generation would do all we could to stop it in its tracks.

We went through fences and shops, at times ending in a cul-de-sac. Good Samaritans shared water and bites to urge us on. They too were silently crying about the injustice that was being metted on them. We tried all we could to ensure reason prevailed but unfortunately it didn’t.

It was noon and things began taking a different turn. Aura for aura was the word. Ruthless police officers received a command to sniff out lives from the citizens of Bushiangala. Anger was not a word anymore. It was turning into barbaric behavior. As if to balance the equation, our side chose to retaliate. Tyres were lit and roads barricaded. Transport was now paralyzed. Shops were now closed. It was a moment of taking the police right in their own game.

Smoke billowed the skies of the nation. Military and Police helicopters took over the capital. The numbers surged on both sides. Calls from the police commanders and youthful units organisers reigned the airwaves……….