Thumbs Up is a dirty gesture

In some cultures, the thumbs up sign is a dirty gesture, because like the bird, the outstretched thumb symbolizes an erect penis, giving the message, "fuck you."

In Uganda, the thumbs up is a different kind of dirty gesture. It means you support the current president, Yoweri Museveni.

Every time I leave the OTD gate and head into the outside world, I am barraged by the neighborhood kids, street chefs, and people walking down the street. "Muzungu, Muzungu", they yell. Now, that most know I speak some Luganda, I am greeted by the more intimate, "Muzungu, O-suvu-o-tya" (White man, how was your rest?) in the morning, or "Muzungu, O-Sivi-otya, sevo?" (White man, how is your day?) in the afternoon and evening. Although I usually just want a quiet walk alone, this is rarely a real possibility, and I usually end up talking to five or six people who insist upon walking with me, or holding me in conversation.

The boda-boda (a word meaning "flexible" and "motorcycle" because boda-boda can bend through traffic jams) drivers on the corner are particularly difficult for me to get away from without being rude. They all know me and always want to talk.

Still after being in Uganda for a week, it's difficult for me not to occassionally give the thumbs-up sign to them. "O-rimuka-luganda!" (You rock at Luganda) they say. "Wei-bare, kali," I say. "N-mani-katono-tono-Luganda" (No I just know a little), I say back. Then, "You're English is really rock n' roll." I inevitable then raise my thumb.

The boda-boda drivers, scream, make angry faces, jump for cover. "No! No!" they yell. "Not that,... THIS!" they say showing me the victory symbol.

Where the thumbs-up sign stands for Museveni in the current campaign , the victory/peace sign stands for Dr. Kizza Besigye, his competition in the March election. Despite what the polls say, it is nearly impossible to find someone without a personal chauffeur who supports Museveni in Kampala. In the north, it's even worse. In his speech yesterday, Museveni was drowned out by boos.

That doesn't mean anyone expects him to lose the election. The 2001 election was ruled by Uganda's Supreme Court to be rife with inconsistencies and stolen votes. Yet, Museveni still holds the top seat, and a very suspicious rape case has emerged against Besigye that still fails to diminish the support for him.

In the meantime, I'm doing my best to keep my thumbs to myself.