Shola, Brown, Annet: The Diary Of A Soldier
Jul 10, 2003
SHOLA is mine. I am Shola’s. Everyone in the camp knows it. I will buy her a beautiful kitenge when I get my salary. Afande it seems has failed to get a lover......
By Joshua Kato
Shola is mine. I am Shola’s. Everyone in the camp knows it. I will buy her a beautiful kitenge when I get my salary. Afande it seems has failed to get a lover......
This is just one of the entries in the secret diary of a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier who has been in the Congo. The entries date back to 1998, when he was deployed, to may 2003. This is one of the men in the 83 battalions that remained in the Congo, when the rest of the soldiers left.
His entries were not dated. He used to make his entries according to the days he had spent there, but later he simply made entries whenever he got time. He used old note books, that he considers his most valuable treasure.
Day 1: I read about Zaire in geography. I never expected to see it. Now I am here, deep in the jungle. I have seen a lot of beautiful women. I tried to speak to one in English. I never thought there were people who could not speak a word of English. But they are beautiful and smiling all the time.
Day 3: I was surprised when I learnt I had eaten monkey meat. Booyi never told me it was monkey meat. But it tastes very nice. It is good I didn’t know before I ate it. I would have missed a delicacy. For the first time, I touched the fingers of a Congolese girl. She looked shy, but smiled. A welcoming smile. Afande told us not to tamper with local women. But how long shall we live without women?
Day 10: The mountains are cold especially at night. I have not had a bath for five days. Am I human? Yes I am. But I am a soldier.
Day 15: Afande is sick. So many of us are sick. I think it is because of the environment. I hate to think about what might happen, if we are attacked now. The battalion doctor is doing excellent work.
Day 25: We were told that there is aduyi(rebel) in the mountains. Now that we are well, I am longing for some action. Today, Kikoosi B had some shooting practice on monkeys in the forests. I am sure the Congolese are having a feast now.
Day 37: First contact with the enemy. They took off like rabbits when the shooting began. Five aduyi were killed. I don’t think I will ever be a rebel. I rather die of poverty.
Day 40: The forests look scary especially when we are on patrol.We should be extra alert. Guns at the hip all the time. You don’t know what might come out of the trees.
Day 70: Shola is mine. I am Shola’s. Everyone knows it in the camp. I will buy her a beautiful dress when my salary comes. Afande it seems has failed to get a lover. I am afraid this might be bad for us who have lovers. Is he waiting to pounce on our lovers?
Day 80: Michael is so fast with women. He cannot have one for three days. He wants to mate like a dog. He has had seven since we came. Is he using condoms?
Day 100: Action again. This time Aduyi put up a serious fight. But we prevailed. Booyi was injured in the legs. His girl was around, teary eyed. His lover is a good one.
What is interesting is that he had already parted with Shola his first girl in the Congo and had another girl called Brown.
He wrote: today, I visited Brown’s home and had a chat with her parents. They want me to marry her and start a family. Every time somebody talks about marriage, I think about Annet, the mother of my children. Did she receive the money I sent her?
In the next entry: They should not stop us from using every weapon in our hands. These boys should be taught a lesson. If I had an atomic bomb, I would use it against them.
In the next: Why are we fighting anyway? Should I ask? No. I am a soldier who is under orders. I first execute the order and the next order and the next. I don’t need to ask. That is not patriotism. I am defending my country. More of our support weapons are involved in combat. We are giving those boys a blood bath. They can only beat us in propaganda.
Next entry: There were many casualties.
We have lost lots of comrades in battle. They have also lost lots of their boys but we shall meet another day. I wish I get deployed that time round.
He asks himself, why should we fight? The next entry was about the battle for love.
I am surprised that we are fighting over girls we found here. Commando Charles and Michael are facing the unit disciplinary officer tomorrow after a fight over a woman. Kyoka lavu!
He did not make any entries again until the mid 2001 in Beni. Then there was talk of a withdrawal. He again had a new girlfriend, Zai. On the day of this entry, Zai had some news.
She told me she is pregnant. Should I be happy or cry? Should I accept the responsibility? Should I avoid her? So many questions. But I know I was careless at one time. I know I am responsible. I should save the girl.
I thought we are going home. But Afande says that our unit has been ordered to remain around Bunia. My spirit is rapidly dropping. I am home sick. Oba what is my wife doing? It is long since I heard from home.
The next entry was about a battle.
Fire today was intense. The contact was tough. Ed is gone. His burial was very disheartening. When I die, I want to be buried home. Do I have a choice?
In the next entry, he laments about the tribal conflicts. The Mai-Mai are savages. How can they do that to their folks? Is it true that they enjoy human flesh? They will never take me alive. Over my grave.
We got new supplies and the spirits are high again. We were on the brink of walking naked and surviving on empty stomachs. This money is enough to look after my pregnant Zai.
But who is looking after my children at home? I named my baby Hope. Only people with hope can stay here. Things are not very okay. I hope they get better.
His next entry is about death. Massacres, massacres everywhere. Three massacres in different areas. I have never seen life so cheap.
I think more than 2000 are dead. Is this how God created us to behave? I am not protecting only my country Uganda, but also my son and wife.
I am happy that we are finally going back home. Will my wife love me again? Will my children recognise me?
We are walking home. Day 1: This journey was inventless. I am tired. Everyone is very tired.
Day 5: We were attacked today. But we defeated the attackers.
Day 7: Zai is putting up well. Hope is not showing any sickness. Like her name, I hope she does not develop any sickness.
Day 10: We were attacked again. We mauled them down with mambas. They are not real soldiers. They should know that attacking us is not a picnic.
Day 14: This was deplorable. This was an experience to remember. This was inhuman. But that is the life of a soldier.
I went alone to Congo, but I came back with two family members. Is that a bad profit? The congolese are lovely, save for a few tribes. I think they should be protected. East or west home is best.
Ends
Shola is mine. I am Shola’s. Everyone in the camp knows it. I will buy her a beautiful kitenge when I get my salary. Afande it seems has failed to get a lover......
This is just one of the entries in the secret diary of a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier who has been in the Congo. The entries date back to 1998, when he was deployed, to may 2003. This is one of the men in the 83 battalions that remained in the Congo, when the rest of the soldiers left.
His entries were not dated. He used to make his entries according to the days he had spent there, but later he simply made entries whenever he got time. He used old note books, that he considers his most valuable treasure.
Day 1: I read about Zaire in geography. I never expected to see it. Now I am here, deep in the jungle. I have seen a lot of beautiful women. I tried to speak to one in English. I never thought there were people who could not speak a word of English. But they are beautiful and smiling all the time.
Day 3: I was surprised when I learnt I had eaten monkey meat. Booyi never told me it was monkey meat. But it tastes very nice. It is good I didn’t know before I ate it. I would have missed a delicacy. For the first time, I touched the fingers of a Congolese girl. She looked shy, but smiled. A welcoming smile. Afande told us not to tamper with local women. But how long shall we live without women?
Day 10: The mountains are cold especially at night. I have not had a bath for five days. Am I human? Yes I am. But I am a soldier.
Day 15: Afande is sick. So many of us are sick. I think it is because of the environment. I hate to think about what might happen, if we are attacked now. The battalion doctor is doing excellent work.
Day 25: We were told that there is aduyi(rebel) in the mountains. Now that we are well, I am longing for some action. Today, Kikoosi B had some shooting practice on monkeys in the forests. I am sure the Congolese are having a feast now.
Day 37: First contact with the enemy. They took off like rabbits when the shooting began. Five aduyi were killed. I don’t think I will ever be a rebel. I rather die of poverty.
Day 40: The forests look scary especially when we are on patrol.We should be extra alert. Guns at the hip all the time. You don’t know what might come out of the trees.
Day 70: Shola is mine. I am Shola’s. Everyone knows it in the camp. I will buy her a beautiful dress when my salary comes. Afande it seems has failed to get a lover. I am afraid this might be bad for us who have lovers. Is he waiting to pounce on our lovers?
Day 80: Michael is so fast with women. He cannot have one for three days. He wants to mate like a dog. He has had seven since we came. Is he using condoms?
Day 100: Action again. This time Aduyi put up a serious fight. But we prevailed. Booyi was injured in the legs. His girl was around, teary eyed. His lover is a good one.
What is interesting is that he had already parted with Shola his first girl in the Congo and had another girl called Brown.
He wrote: today, I visited Brown’s home and had a chat with her parents. They want me to marry her and start a family. Every time somebody talks about marriage, I think about Annet, the mother of my children. Did she receive the money I sent her?
In the next entry: They should not stop us from using every weapon in our hands. These boys should be taught a lesson. If I had an atomic bomb, I would use it against them.
In the next: Why are we fighting anyway? Should I ask? No. I am a soldier who is under orders. I first execute the order and the next order and the next. I don’t need to ask. That is not patriotism. I am defending my country. More of our support weapons are involved in combat. We are giving those boys a blood bath. They can only beat us in propaganda.
Next entry: There were many casualties.
We have lost lots of comrades in battle. They have also lost lots of their boys but we shall meet another day. I wish I get deployed that time round.
He asks himself, why should we fight? The next entry was about the battle for love.
I am surprised that we are fighting over girls we found here. Commando Charles and Michael are facing the unit disciplinary officer tomorrow after a fight over a woman. Kyoka lavu!
He did not make any entries again until the mid 2001 in Beni. Then there was talk of a withdrawal. He again had a new girlfriend, Zai. On the day of this entry, Zai had some news.
She told me she is pregnant. Should I be happy or cry? Should I accept the responsibility? Should I avoid her? So many questions. But I know I was careless at one time. I know I am responsible. I should save the girl.
I thought we are going home. But Afande says that our unit has been ordered to remain around Bunia. My spirit is rapidly dropping. I am home sick. Oba what is my wife doing? It is long since I heard from home.
The next entry was about a battle.
Fire today was intense. The contact was tough. Ed is gone. His burial was very disheartening. When I die, I want to be buried home. Do I have a choice?
In the next entry, he laments about the tribal conflicts. The Mai-Mai are savages. How can they do that to their folks? Is it true that they enjoy human flesh? They will never take me alive. Over my grave.
We got new supplies and the spirits are high again. We were on the brink of walking naked and surviving on empty stomachs. This money is enough to look after my pregnant Zai.
But who is looking after my children at home? I named my baby Hope. Only people with hope can stay here. Things are not very okay. I hope they get better.
His next entry is about death. Massacres, massacres everywhere. Three massacres in different areas. I have never seen life so cheap.
I think more than 2000 are dead. Is this how God created us to behave? I am not protecting only my country Uganda, but also my son and wife.
I am happy that we are finally going back home. Will my wife love me again? Will my children recognise me?
We are walking home. Day 1: This journey was inventless. I am tired. Everyone is very tired.
Day 5: We were attacked today. But we defeated the attackers.
Day 7: Zai is putting up well. Hope is not showing any sickness. Like her name, I hope she does not develop any sickness.
Day 10: We were attacked again. We mauled them down with mambas. They are not real soldiers. They should know that attacking us is not a picnic.
Day 14: This was deplorable. This was an experience to remember. This was inhuman. But that is the life of a soldier.
I went alone to Congo, but I came back with two family members. Is that a bad profit? The congolese are lovely, save for a few tribes. I think they should be protected. East or west home is best.
Ends