BY BARRISTER PETER MAGOMU MASHATE
In the bible, John 8:7, JESUS stood up and responded to their question about the stoning;- “LET HIM WHO IS WITHOUT SIN AMONG YOU, THROW THE FIRST STONE AT HER”……I bet without much fear of contradiction that very few if not none of the great men qualifies in these contemporary times.
I join the millions mourning the passing of MZEE COMRADE MOSES MATOVU, but as long as he was undoubtedly a legend then I most respectfully invite all, not to judge him for he was a human, one of us and with undeniable stature and place equalled to world’s powerful men, Presidents, Ministers, Celebrities (which he was) and politicians amongst many other classses of succesful international leaders.
One mouner has correctly observed and opined that “AFRIGO BAND meant AFRICA GO” and I would add GO forward ever in eternal memory of Papa Moi Mzee Comrade Moses Matovu. True, a revolutionary name incsribed in and during the revolutionary era of Uganda’s revolutionary politics following Uganda’s revolutionary era of great 40 years of revolutionary Nation building and Stability. Comrade Moses Matovu therefore leaves a legacy of musical stability.
But which other great men of the world fell on what we could advisedly call *”WOMEN’S SWORD OR GIRL POWER”?*
I respectfully submit that Afrigo and in particular Moses Matovu musically followed in the foot-steps of the 1960s music icon and legend Fred Masagazi whom together with the likes of Hadijja Namale, Eclas Kawalya (whose daughter Joanita Kawalya also ended up as artist in Afrigo Band) fought hard to keep the Uganda music flag flying against the avalanche and “invasion” of Congolese music then.
In Uganda Afrigo Band melted this congolese avalanche, mentored the current breed of the Chamelleons, Baby Cool, Bobi wine-Cum-politician, Irine Namubiru, Eddy Kenzo, Idi Masaaba of Mbale, Masaabaland/Bugisu etc.
But this “GIRL POWER/WOMEN’S SWORD” like Adam and Eve bibilical story has brought down the most powerful presidents, celebrities etc and will mention a few herein starting with Uganda and this list is indeed inexhaustive.
1.MINISTER JOHN KAKONGE
In 1969, John Kakonge was brutally beaten and nearly killed after being caught in a high-profile romantic scandal. Kakonge, who served as a prominent minister and the Secretary-General of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) under Milton Obote, was allegedly discovered in a marital bed with a woman in Namuwongo.
Its said Minister Kakonge was caught red-handed making love to a woman who was a well-known dancer in the Heart Group of Uganda, a popular dance troupe at the time.
The woman’s husband, identified as Sergeant Kayongo (a government driver), discovered them. Enraged, Kayongo and an irate local mob severely attacked Kakonge, inflicting serious injuries.
*2.US PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON -LEWINSKY SCANDAL. NEARLY LOST PRESENDENCY.*
Clinton lied under oath that; “I DID NOT HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT WOMAN, Ms LEWINSKY. ” yet Lewinsky managed to produce their action-dress with a Clinton the President’s “SPERM STAIN” which went for DNA test and sealed Clinton’s fate. With that came the investigation and impeachment.
Monica Samille Lewinsky became internationally known in the late 1990s after U.S. President Bill Clinton admitted to having had an affair with her during her days as a White House intern between 1995 and 1997. The affair and its repercussions became known as the;- “CLINTON –LEWINSKY SCANDAL”.
Lewinsky aged 22 years old then engaged in an extramarital sexual relationship in the Oval Office area between 1995 and 1997. Bill Clinton was 50 years old.
Congress/senate and the American public anxiously scrutinsed the moral question and sanctity of the Oval office abused by the President Clinton who denied and lied under oath. Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr investigated and the U.S. House of Representatives impeached Clinton in December 1998. All this courtesy of GIRL POWER.
*3. BRITISH JEFFREY ARCHER & SEX SCANDAL. A POWERFUL VICE CHAIRMAN CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT UNDER PRIME MINISTER MARGRET THATCHER*
Jeffrey Archer’s history with infidelity and extramarital affairs became a central focus of public scandal and his eventual 2001 perjury trial.
Archer’s former personal assistant testified in 2001 that she maintained a years-long affair with him, stating he lied to political figures like Margaret Thatcher about ending the relationship.
Sally Farmiloe: Tabloid revelations in late 1999 exposed a multi-year affair between Archer and the television actress.
Former associates and secretaries detailed that Archer had multiple other affairs while his wife, Mary Archer, was out of London.
*MONICA COGHLAN SCANDAL:*
In 1986, Archer resigned as Conservative Party deputy chairman after allegations he paid a prostitute, Monica Coghlan. His successful 1987 libel action against the Daily Star over these claims later formed the basis of his criminal perjury conviction for fabricating alibis and manufacturing evidence.
In 2001, Archer was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice for covering up his actions surrounding the 1987 libel trial, serving two years in prison.
Despite decades of public scrutiny, his wife Mary stood by him, famously remarking that she had never considered divorce, though she had considered murder “several times”.
Other high-profile celebrity infidelity scandals often unfolded publicly through leaked photos, legal battles, or direct admissions.
*4. US TIGER WOODS (2009) INTERNATIONAL GOLF CHAMPION:*
The professional golfer’s personal life collapsed after multiple women came forward with allegations of affairs, resulting in a public apology, treatment, and a high-profile divorce from Elin Nordegren.
*5. US GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (2011):*
It was revealed that the actor and former governor fathered a child with the family’s longtime housekeeper, leading to his separation from Maria Shriver.
Indeed, the list of human indiscretions is long and inexhaustible.
This is the time for mourning our great Uganda music legend not for judgement of his actions for he is not with us any more to speak for himself.
But as we mourn lets reflect and recite, John 8:7, Jesus stood up and responded to their question about the stoning, “LET HIM WHO IS WITHOUT SIN AMONG YOU, CAST THE FIRST STONE AT HER”
Lets abide by JESUS’S philosophical question, challenge and standard…I bet none qualifies to come forward.
The country, the region, Africa and the global Diaspora fraternity have lost a gentle, philosophical social teacher, researcher, sportsman and above all a PATRIOT who loved and rocked Ugandans ” OLIMUNYAMA SUPU AWOLA”.
Rest in eternal peace “Papa Moi”, Mzee Comrade Moses Matovu.
WRITER IS LONDON-BASED BARRISTER PETER MAGOMU MASHATE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW OF THE HONOURABLE SOCIETY OF LINCOLN’S INN OF COURT LONDON UK
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