A fine crime story in Kampala
May 05, 2004
I was recently subjected to the sense of helplessness that comes when one discovers a theft when I recently attended a conference on DDT and malaria in Kampala.
By Richard Tren
I was recently subjected to the sense of helplessness that comes when one discovers a theft when I recently attended a conference on DDT and malaria in Kampala.
As a South African who lives in Johannesburg, I should be used to crime as my city is reputed to be one of the world’s most violent and crime-ridden.
After presenting my paper on day one of the conference, I was looking forward to a more relaxing second day’s lively and heated debate about the use of DDT in malaria control.
Unfortunately, for me, the conference came to an abrupt end when my bag was stolen from the conference room. It contained my laptop computer, camera, diary, passport, tickets, money and other valuables such as a pen my grandfather gave me before his death.
Anyone who has been subjected to theft will know the blind panic that grips your body.
My first reaction was to run about like a crazed maniac, looking everywhere for my valuables.
All the while, the horror of having lost months of work on my computer, my passport and items of enormous sentimental value began to sink in.
As an agnostic, I was surprised by the number of prayers that I was sending up, asking for some divine intervention.
I even engaged in a bit of ancestor worship as I also appealed to my grandfather’s spirit for help in getting back his pen! Whether it was spiritual help or the more earthly kind, I never felt that I was alone as people sprang into action to help me out.
A Ugandan journalist at the conference had recognised a man sitting near me.
At the same time, a South African friend who lives in Kampala brought the police. I somehow knew that things would be alright when I met detective corporal Eseeza Nabutono of Jinja Road Police Station.
This larger-than-life woman is not your typical defender of the law and reminded me more of the actress and singer Queen Latifa; yet I knew that she was not to be trifled with and I would feel sorry for any thief that crosses her path. We soon heard, via a network of informants, that the alleged thief was relaxing in the bar of a downtown hotel. The police emerged from the hotel with a man who I recognised as sitting by me at the conference.
Geoffrey Sseruwagi, a habitual criminal, was now in the firm grip of finest crime fighters. All my possessions apart from my cash and airline ticket, were returned. I am grateful to the conference delegates who donated money to me so that I could get home and many others for their support. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote “There is no den in the world to hide a rogue. Commit a crime and the earth is made of glassâ€.
And because civilians and the police worked together, the world was indeed made of glass for Geoffrey Sseruwagi.
Often, crime stories are depressing and only act to deter visitors from Africa. Yet in my case, the story is one of hope and demonstrates how, when we work together, crime can be beaten. Thank you Uganda - I have been spreading the word about your wonderful country and kind people.
Richard Tren is a director of the health advocacy group Africa fighting malaria and lives in Johannesburg
I was recently subjected to the sense of helplessness that comes when one discovers a theft when I recently attended a conference on DDT and malaria in Kampala.
As a South African who lives in Johannesburg, I should be used to crime as my city is reputed to be one of the world’s most violent and crime-ridden.
After presenting my paper on day one of the conference, I was looking forward to a more relaxing second day’s lively and heated debate about the use of DDT in malaria control.
Unfortunately, for me, the conference came to an abrupt end when my bag was stolen from the conference room. It contained my laptop computer, camera, diary, passport, tickets, money and other valuables such as a pen my grandfather gave me before his death.
Anyone who has been subjected to theft will know the blind panic that grips your body.
My first reaction was to run about like a crazed maniac, looking everywhere for my valuables.
All the while, the horror of having lost months of work on my computer, my passport and items of enormous sentimental value began to sink in.
As an agnostic, I was surprised by the number of prayers that I was sending up, asking for some divine intervention.
I even engaged in a bit of ancestor worship as I also appealed to my grandfather’s spirit for help in getting back his pen! Whether it was spiritual help or the more earthly kind, I never felt that I was alone as people sprang into action to help me out.
A Ugandan journalist at the conference had recognised a man sitting near me.
At the same time, a South African friend who lives in Kampala brought the police. I somehow knew that things would be alright when I met detective corporal Eseeza Nabutono of Jinja Road Police Station.
This larger-than-life woman is not your typical defender of the law and reminded me more of the actress and singer Queen Latifa; yet I knew that she was not to be trifled with and I would feel sorry for any thief that crosses her path. We soon heard, via a network of informants, that the alleged thief was relaxing in the bar of a downtown hotel. The police emerged from the hotel with a man who I recognised as sitting by me at the conference.
Geoffrey Sseruwagi, a habitual criminal, was now in the firm grip of finest crime fighters. All my possessions apart from my cash and airline ticket, were returned. I am grateful to the conference delegates who donated money to me so that I could get home and many others for their support. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote “There is no den in the world to hide a rogue. Commit a crime and the earth is made of glassâ€.
And because civilians and the police worked together, the world was indeed made of glass for Geoffrey Sseruwagi.
Often, crime stories are depressing and only act to deter visitors from Africa. Yet in my case, the story is one of hope and demonstrates how, when we work together, crime can be beaten. Thank you Uganda - I have been spreading the word about your wonderful country and kind people.
Richard Tren is a director of the health advocacy group Africa fighting malaria and lives in Johannesburg