Bush Ocean

On my way back to Gulu from Kitgum, where I had spent the better part of the day at the National Memory and Peace Documentation Centre, I decided to make a little detour to Aruu Falls. By the way, if you have never visited the National Memory and Peace Documentation Centre, you should. The team at @refugeelawproj has done an incredible job documenting and preserving Uganda’s experiences of conflict, transitional justice, and peacebuilding. There is so much history in that place, including stories we must never allow ourselves to forget. Anyway, back to Aruu Falls. I went there to sit, reflect, meditate, and have a little conversation with the gods. 🤣 Among the things I told them was that I had finally and successfully thrown away the English name I adopted in Primary Four. You see, as a little boy, I was embarrassed by my African name because other pupils laughed at me for not having an English one. So, to fit in and escape the mockery, I gave myself one. Imagine being made to feel ashamed of your own name, in your own country, by your own people! And imagine carrying that shame into adulthood without even realising how much it had shaped your identity. Well, it has taken me many years, but I have finally come full circle. I told the gods that I had returned to my roots, legally, culturally, and unapologetically. No borrowed identity. No shame. Just Ojok Okot, as my people intended. I hope the ancestors are pleased. 🤣 There is something deeply satisfying about making peace with the little boy you once were. Now, before I turn this into a whole sermon about identity and decolonisation, let me tell you something about Aruu Falls. For those planning to come to Gulu for the @TheGuluMarathon on 5th December, please do yourself a favour and include Aruu Falls on your itinerary. The water levels are relatively low at the moment, probably because of the unpredictable weather patterns, but the scenery is still absolutely beautiful. The fresh air, the rocks, the sound of flowing water, and the peaceful surroundings make it a wonderful place to spend a few hours away from the noise of everyday life. And you don’t have to figure out the trip yourself. My friends at @LoremiTours can put together a lovely tour experience that allows you to explore Aruu Falls and discover more of what northern Uganda has to offer. So, as you train for the marathon, start planning your trip too. Come for the run, stay for the experiences, discover the beauty of our region, and leave with stories worth telling. Northern Uganda has so much to offer, and I would love for more people to experience it. Gulu is calling. Come and see for yourself! 🥰👌🏾😍

I passed by the Gulu City Youth Boxing Club, where I am a runaway trainee 😄, to catch up with my good friend Dragon, who is hosting a back-to-school boxing competition for young people at the club. Participants have come from across the Acholi sub-region, and every young person competing tonight will walk away with an assortment of school requirements to help them return to school. If you are looking for a local initiative worth supporting, the Gulu City Youth Boxing Club is one of them. Beyond boxing, they are keeping young people positively engaged during the holidays, teaching discipline and providing a space where they can develop their talent and confidence. They are doing great work with limited resources. With more support, they can reach even more young people. Support them. Help them grow. 🥊