Dear reader, as we say in Ugandan speak, let us be guided. Today’s class will revisit the use of UPPER CASE (or CAPITAL LETTERS as my teachers taught) in online communication.
The great internet code deems typing in CAPITAL LETTERS offensive, equivalent to YELLING. Typography and graphic communication experts observe that people have been using capital letters for thousands of years to convey “grandeur,” “pomposity,” or “aesthetic seriousness” according to a 2014 article titled, How Capital Letters Became Internet Code for Yelling.
A 2022 yourdictionary. com article, Why Are You Yelling? How All Caps Make You Loud, notes that CAPITAL LETTERS in online writing can be used to grab attention, for emphasis, to show anger/shock/outrage/ confusion and to convey urgency.
Handwriting specialists opine that one ought to be frugal with the employment of capital letters as the blocky profiles of capital letters lessen readability. Thesaurus.com advises that we don’t have to wholly discard the use of capital letters; instead, capital letters have found a home in informal communications.
Why this quest to understand the place of CAPITAL LETTERS in official communication today, in the age of the ‘internets’? On February 1 at 2:54 am, Colonel Chris Magezi, Military Assistant in charge of Public Relations of the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) tweeted on his X account: “UPDF official Statement: The General Court Martial will continue to TRY ANYONE WHO CONSPIRES TO MURDER THE PRESIDENT, COMMITS ARMED REBELLION AGAINST UGANDA, AND ENGAGES IN TERRORISM AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF UGANDA. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL COL. KIZZA BESIGYE BE RELEASED UNTIL HE FACES THE FULL EXTENT OF MARTIAL LAW. The final decision on this matter will be taken by the CIC and Chairman of the High Command, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.”
As far as one can go back on Magezi’s X account, he is not in the habit of typing in capital letters. Ba dia, he is not in the habit of YELLING on the internet. Thus, we can comfortably speculate that in using CAPITAL LETTERS, Magezi sought to convey SERIOUSNESS.
As the nation regaled in the euphoria of the extraordinary January 31 Supreme court judgment shutting down the trials of civilians in the General Court Martial, CAPITAL LETTERS were being summoned to the frontline like reserve troops amassing for war.
At 2:54 am, as the nation purred the sweet sleep the liberators brought foras, the heralded professional Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) YELLED online that it neither cares for quisling civilian institutions like the JUDICIARY nor for lofty papers like the CONSTITUTION OF UGANDA. (Former ruling party member and Ethics minister Miria Matembe reported that President Yoweri Museveni once said, “What is a constitution but a mere piece of paper?”)
In addition to CAPITAL LETTERS joining the UPDF, Magezi’s X account has taken on additional responsibilities – the channelling of the ethereal thoughts of the UPDF CDF, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba (MK).
A more recent tweet on Magezi’s account reads, “CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba: The traitor Besigye will only leave prison in two ways. Either in his coffin after we hang him or shoot him or on his knees apologising to Mzee.”
Magezi’s account has seemingly taken a sharp turn in its character – previous posts and reposts on his page mainly feature updates about the offices of the President, the First Lady, the CDF and the UPDF. Even at the height of MK’s virulent posts promising to behead opposition leader, Robert Kyagulanyi/Bobi Wine, Magezi’s X account did not retweet those now ‘disappeared’ posts.
Meanwhile, on the official UPDF account on X, the PROFESSIONAL UPDF is in full swing with posts about army doctors undertaking surgeries highlighting the strong civil-military relations in Masaka, soldiers participating in international Qur’an reciting competitions, plans to buttress Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among others.
Oddly, the UPDF account is mute on the Supreme court judgment, and neither does it carry a repost of Magezi’s YELLING post. The media widely reported Magezi’s position as the ‘official UPDF position,’ which position has not been refuted.
Dear reader, let us be so bold as to similarly employ the wonder of CAPITAL LETTERS. Thus, let us walk gingerly among the advisory orders of CHIEF JUSTICE Alfonse Owiny-Dollo that accompanied the January 31 Supreme court judgment.
“THE PEOPLE OF UGANDA pronounced themselves in the course of the making of the 1995 CONSTITUTION, expressing their FERVENT DESIRE TO MAKE A BREAK FROM THE UGLY PAST THAT CHARACTERIZED LIFE IN OUR COUNTRY; ESPECIALLY THE GRAVE ABUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY THE MILITARY.
THE UGANDAN MILITARY HAS SINCE BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A PROFESSIONAL FORCE; AND IT HAS MADE REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTION TO ENSURING REGIONAL PEACE, SECURITY AND STABILITY. IT IS RATHER CONTRADICTORY AND RATHER DISCONCERTING FOR A MILITARY FORCE BUILT ON NEW AND COMMENDABLE PROFESSIONAL DISPENSATION TO OPERATE UNDER THE SAME LEGAL FRAMEWORK THAT FAILED TO CHECK OR AVERT MILITARY ABUSE OF POWER; WITH UNSPEAKABLE RAMIFICATIONS.”
As this article is a class on the employment of CAPITAL LETTERS, we further note that the 2004 government White Paper on Defence Transformation, stated the following as one of Uganda’s core security interests: “A SOCIETY THAT FUNCTIONS ACCORDING TO PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY, WHERE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS ARE PROMOTED AND PROTECTED.”
Class dismissed.
The writer is a tayaad muzzukulu.
Fellow Ugandans, pay particular attention to these two papas (a) “A more recent tweet on Magezi’s account reads, “CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba: The traitor Besigye will only leave prison in two ways. Either in his coffin after we hang him or shoot him or on his knees apologising to Mzee.” (b) “Magezi’s account has seemingly taken a sharp turn in its character – previous posts and reposts on his page mainly feature updates about the offices of the President, the First Lady, the CDF and the UPDF. Even at the height of MK’s virulent posts promising to behead opposition leader, Robert Kyagulanyi/Bobi Wine, Magezi’s X account did not retweet those now ‘disappeared’ posts.”
The aforesaid two paras put together with M7’s statement that, The Country Is Governed By Us Not The Foreign Oriented Judges,”
That clearly explains that Uganda is not only under a militant rule but also owned by M7 and his family!
That has been the case for 4 decades now and with no end in sight and all hope for change has despaired! Unfortunately, all hope for change is nowhere in sight because, despite clear lack of democracy and lawlessness, it’s business as usual!
Instead of addressing the critical and/or urgent matter of lack of democracy and lawlessness, our leading opposition figure, Kyagulanyi, is busy with business as usual by engaging in bogus and meaningless elections, “Kyagulanyi asks Kawempe MP aspirants to unite against Museveni in by-election.”
Meanwhile, our leader of opposition in parliament (LoP), Senyonyi, also continues to demonstrate that, the opposition in parliament is completely useless and our LoP is simply interested in “passing the go” and collect taxpayers’ money!
Thanks Muzzukulu Mukoowu,
But the Idol/Devil Worshippers like the Col Chris Magezi of this country, forgets that since Luweero1981 and before, his IDOL, our 80-year-old PROBLEM OF AFRICA, Gen Tibuhaburwa has been engaging in the ORGANIZED MURDER of hundreds and thousands of Ugandans.
In other words, 44 years and counting: including Dr. Kiiza Besigye whom he and son MK want to MURDER using a blunt knife, the Military court martial; there have been no other FOREIGN ENEMIES Gen Tibuhaburwa has been fighting and/or MURDERING, but UGANDANS ONLY!
He spends trillion and hunts them (Ugandans) down in the DRC and Central African Republic Jungles.
Lakwena, you made a great point. In 44 years, M7 has never fought any “FOREIGN ENEMIES” but UGANDANS ONLY!” M7 spends trillions of money on arms intended to fight and kill Ugandans, especially during the bogus elections.
In November 2020, M7 killed over 150 innocent people, young and old including children!
Now, after the ruling of the supreme court, Colonel Chris Magezi confirmed what M7 said on his X account that M7, his family and militants own Uganda and that, “Besigye will only leave prison in two ways. Either in his coffin after we hang him or shoot him or on his knees apologising to Mzee.” As we all know, Besigye has been politically persecuted ever since he came out to challenge M7 in 2001. M7 has accused Besigye for all kinds of charges including rape! However, Besigye has never been convicted of any crimes! So, this time M7 kidnapped Besigye from Kenya and charged him for possession of guns in Kenya and other crimes which were all allegedly committed abroad!
All this is happening due to the fact that bogus elections are approaching!
Certainly, we all know that Besigye is not going to challenge M7 in the next bogus elections! That’s why Magezi is saying that “Besigye will only leave prison in two ways. Either in his coffin after we hang him or shoot him.” And our leading opposition figure, Kyagulanyi has already announced that he’ll challenge M7 in the next bogus elections and determined to show us that there’s democracy and it works!
That’s the democracy which Kyagulanyi is talking about, mbu democracy works because, Senyonyi as LoP and NUP as the largest opposition party in parliament are completely useless with nothing show for or why they’re in parliament!
This is a serious case of OCD.
For those who don`t understand how serious this disorder is , just take a look at two patients : Muhoozi Kainerugaba and REMASE
OCD happens when a brain cell goes haywire , the head then begins to instruct its owner to do or say things repeatedly even when the owner knows or is told to step back
There is a glowing similarity between Muhoozi`s tweeting behavious and Remase`s commenting obsession.
It has been openly said that Muhoozi has been strongly advised and even ordered by his Dad to stop tweeting. More often than not , Muhoozi seems to have taken the advice , only to return days later , yelling : ” NO ONE CAN SILENCE ME ; I AM NOT A CHILD
His confused brain tells him that he MUST TWEET. He just can`t help it.
Brother Remase is .. “same case” as they say. Remase can never sleep unless he quotes , repeats , duplicates and use the same phrases over and over again.He feels he must connect things that are otherwise not connectable.
We happen to have a lovely familypet . A dog. Our dog knows only one sleeping rug , the rug we got him as a puppy . Rafik can never lie down to take a nap or sleep unless his rug is on the floor or the car boot.No harm done.
Likewise , Kyagulanyi , is Remase`s sleeping pill .
Woof wooof !
Its hard to handle .
Kent Mawa I do not think you have all the points as well. It is wrong to call fellow human debaters dogs. However even our animal friends the dogs can easily sense who are the dangerous enemies of their masters. With the high greed many of the African politicians have, it is going to be very difficult to convince the voters of this country not to vote even if they know very well that their votes they willingly provide to the military of the NRM now 40 years and counting are made void after every national election!
Kabayekka Ssebo , I have never claim and will never claim I have ” all the points” I am totally for change and are therefore a consumer of points , even bad ones. I see no points from brother Remase , but lots of tiresome accusative repetations.
With that dog bit , it just a semantic , an anology aimed at explaining what happens when a fellow human displays charaterists that are supposed to be natural in dogs. I shoulld also say that some dogs would be offended if they were compared to some humans.
You explain it even better: that a dog can sense the enemy of their master. What does it do then…?
That , for me , is what cunning propandaists do . They tend to go after the one they see as Museveni`s enemy . Its more than obvious that Remase sees Kyagulanyi as the enemy that must be barked at all the time. You must have noticed how quickly he agreed with the chap that has this idea of banning some people from ever stepping in the north.
Sensing and attacking enemies is what Muhoozi does via endless tweeting and through public statements like what he said in Kyotera. In his head , Muhoozi thinks his one and only duty to attack his Dad`s percieved enemies. He will bite off a head even that of a diplomat who he thinks does not respect his Dad
I agree , its difficult , let alone tricky to try and stopp voters from casting their votes , regardless of whether or not their vote is valued. Saddam got 98% , didn`t he ?
Mubarak of Egypt got 99% of votes from the army and the police a few months before these forces joined the people and toppled him.
So what do you when you find yourself under a cunning dictatorship… do you go on endlessly chanting ” two legs bad , four legs better” . Is that a plan ?
Allow me to share: I am a product of two strong tribes. My Father was from Westnile , my beloved Mum a Muganda from Masaka where I was raised. Because I was given my fathers Westnile long name , it confused the locals , teachers and my friends why a “muganda” should have such a name. Teacher Wamala , a funny man , insisted that I should make it easier and be called Mawanda . To please myself , and the other side , I cut it to Mawa.
And so it is that having been raised and educated in Buganda , I picked up a lot of interest in Luganda sayings , most of which are loaded with sarcasm.
Uganda is where it is: damned you do , damned if you don`t situation . According to Sserunkuma , even if you boycotted those bogus( puh!) elections , the dictator will create his own opposition. What do you do then ?
” Atakubalira naawe tomubalira , ennyanja ekutta omira ”
” Agamyuuka akasolo , n`omutezi ”
You play your part regardless of the obstacles and the risks. You spend and invest your energy chasing down the oppressor instead of constantly pulling down other strugglers.
A dog that mistakes family members as enemies of its master cannot be part of that family ( this is just a semantic) . The serious call in a trainer
Kent Mawa you have a point indeed. Such reasoning was declared by the DP 1961 when Britain wanted the Buganda Kingdom state to become a colonial territory instead of a Protectorate. The famous advocate Ben Kiwanuka did not see anything wrong with that.
He advised King Muteesa not to worry since he as the first Prime Minister of Uganda will call him on appointment at Entebbe State House and sort things out. Prime Minister Obote after independence colonized the Kingdom state again and declared Uganda an African Republican state. DP joined the New African Republican state saying that better to join the enemy than isolating yourself.
The whole DP opposition crossed over to Obote government. President Amin came along and DP as Ben Kiwanuka, read to Amin the same script. DP declared to join with President Idi Amin another cunning dictatorship with his well British trained military might. Advocate Ben Kiwanuka, British educated, was given the Chief Justice appointment. According to Sserunkuma , even if you boycotted those bogus( puh!) elections , the dictator will create his own opposition. What do you do then ? For Serunkuma’s very important question now.
Mr Norbert of the DP political party nowadays can answer that or Mpuuga, or Kyagulanyi or Besigye. Or Andrew Kayiira if at all people can live twice as James Bond film declares! Famous dictators like Adolf Hitler new how to deal with such dogy politicians. He killed many of them! Surely if someone prepares a meal for you Kent Mawa and you do not turn up, where does he get the evidence that you attended to his meals. Let M7 declare the love of his people even if many do not love him anymore. You cannot stop him my dear Kent Mawa.