TRUE STORY: Jailed because of speaking English—GAD BRIGHTON

Speaking English has been considered as one of the keys opening the world of success. When you speak a particular language make sure you speak it in an appropriate moment. Sometimes speaking the language of known as enemies at home may cause troubles.

It was a great afternoon with my mates going to Kanyosha by foot from Kinindo American corner. We actually used to do so because we were not only walking but also speaking English. It was interesting.

When we got to the 2nd Avenue at Kanyosha, we met a crowd of people. I told the guys, ‘Let’s stay away of this crowd.’ We kept on walking. Among the crowd I recognized Eric and told me that cops, wearing no uniforms, were checking and catching riders.  Suddenly, one man stopped his motorcycle and bumped my left foot.  I shouted to my mates, ‘Oooh, this man bumps me!’

The man got irritated, parked the motorcycle and slapped me. At that time I saw eight white men as if I were daydreaming. He angrily asked me, ‘Uri nde ushobora gutuka inzego?‘ (Who are you to insult authorities?).

He showed me his service card. He was a chief of Kanyosha’s post of cops. I shivered as if there was an earthquake. He called other cops who were in the crowd. I tried to explain him the meaning of ‘This man bumps me‘ in Kirundi but he did not care.

They smacked me down, took my cell phone, wallet and briefcase. I began to think of my current situation. I wondered if it was a movie shouting or it was a live event. The cops frightened my mates not to follow unless they wanted to be jailed too.

It seemed that cops’ chief was illiterate but wanted to show off his power. They took me to jail to spend one night as a correction.