Did you know that I glow in the dark?
It's true! At night, especially when the electricity goes out, I can see nothing else but myself, and everyone around me can see me.
In fact, if you are a Muzungu, chances are, you glow in the dark too!
Some of the Muzungus here are even told not to go out after dusk, even to the latrine, because anyone can see them- so it is not safe.
But when Muzugus walk around during the day we are safe and we shine.
We shine so much that we may even begin to glow red!
Our shining attracts stares and even laughs.
The stares aren't so bad as long as they can be broken with a smile, "Good morning!", "Hello!", or a Luganda greeting.
It's those stares that linger that seem to push us away.
Smiles are welcome, for they welcome me.
But some smiles should be left alone, for they only want to take the muzungu 'home'.
Such smiles don't just push away, but force us to build up a wall that says "keep away".
But we keep walking and we're still shining.
We shine so bright that from far away we are hailed by children who unite to welcome us home by rhythmic song: "Byeee Mu-zun-gu! Byeee Mu-zun-gu! Byeee Mu-zun-gu!".
Some mothers even stop with their babies on their back to educate their young child that- this, is a Muzungu.
Rumor has it Muzungus are so soft and fragile that we bleed when touched.
Children look on with joy and wonder, and some with fear.
Some, once a Muzungu has passed, will finally muster up the courage to shout "Bye Muzungu!". Others just whisper amongst themselves "muzung! muzung!".
One child may be brave enough to test the theory, running out to touch the Muzungu's hand while the others wait in anxious anticipation.
When nothing happens, they laugh and show a glimpse of disappointment. But their imagination is not defeated, the next day another bold one will step out to try again.
But a Muzungu on their way home must not linger long, for as the sun goes down, we begin to glow again.