By Joseph Mbazzi Muguluma (Immanuel Ben Misagga)
A lion does not become weak because its teeth have fallen out. Yet some young men laugh at the struggles of others, forgetting that life can humble anyone who fails to prepare for tomorrow.
That is the central warning in Kifuuta’s counsel to today’s youth: your future will be shaped less by what you desire than by what you discipline yourself to do today.
For the young man still in school, the first responsibility is education.
Your father may have sold a goat to pay your fees. Your mother may have worked tirelessly to provide your uniform and scholastic materials. Yet instead of using your books to build a future, you have turned them into love-letter stationery.
“Dearest Precious, I love you…”
You are writing romantic messages inside a Science book—the very book that could help change your life.
You spend your pocket money on Rolex and chapati for someone you are trying to impress, while struggling to afford a pen.
Books first. Romance later.
The girl you are chasing around the school compound is also pursuing her own future. If she succeeds while you neglect your studies, she may not wait for you. Your greatest competition is not the boy sitting next to you; it is the future you are failing to prepare for.
The romance you desire will have its time. Build a life worth sharing first.
Do Not Confuse Prayer With Idleness
Then there is the young man who has left school but has not yet discovered the value of work.
He is 23, 25, 28—or even 30—and still wakes up at 10 a.m., spends the day at the trading centre and says, “God will provide. I am waiting upon the Lord.”
Faith is important, but faith does not excuse idleness.
God gave you hands, a mind and the ability to learn. Use them.
You may not have capital to start a major business. You may not have a prestigious job. But you can acquire a skill, cultivate land, ride a bicycle, push a wheelbarrow, repair something, sell something or learn a trade.
There is dignity in honest work.
Do not sit in poverty envying the person who is building. Before accusing others of using witchcraft, ask yourself whether they simply worked while you talked.
Wishes do not build houses. Work does.
Build Before You Marry
Some young men dream of marriage while they have not yet built the most basic foundation for a home.
Look at where you sleep.
A worn-out mat on the floor, a sack serving as a blanket and clothes stuffed into a polythene bag—and yet you are loudly announcing that you want a beautiful wife.
Marriage is not an escape from responsibility.
If you cannot take care of yourself, you should first ask how prepared you are to take responsibility for another person.
Build your bed. Organise your life. Develop a vision. Then invite someone to share that vision.
A woman should not be treated as an ornament to decorate poverty. She should be a partner in building a meaningful life.
Do Not Become a King at the Bar and a Beggar at Home
Perhaps the most painful contradiction is the man who has money but no priorities.
He earns UGX200,000, UGX300,000 or UGX500,000 and spends the weekend trying to prove that he is the richest man in the bar.
“Add two more beers!”
The room applauds. People call him Boss. For a few hours, he feels important.
But at home, his children may be struggling. His wife may have only one dress. School requirements remain unpaid.
The applause of the bar is temporary.
Real respect comes when your child can say, “My father provided for me.”
Do not spend the money meant to build your household buying admiration from strangers.
Be a provider at home, not merely a celebrity at the bar.
Young Enough to Change Course
There is nothing impressive about being 20 and already living as though life has ended.
Drinking until you lose control, fighting in bars, neglecting your responsibilities and allowing alcohol to dictate your decisions will not make you a man.
Maturity is not measured by how much alcohol you can consume.
It is measured by how well you can control yourself, manage your money, respect others and make decisions that protect your future.
You are still young.
Do not destroy tomorrow trying to impress people today.
Choose Hard Work Over Easy Dependence
There is dignity in the young man who wakes up early, rides a bicycle or boda, carries produce, works on a farm and returns home with honest earnings.
He may sweat. His clothes may get dirty. People may laugh at his occupation.
But he is building independence.
The alternative is becoming dependent on someone simply because they can finance your lifestyle.
Do not exchange your independence for temporary comfort.
A shirt bought for you today cannot compensate for the loss of your ability to build your own life tomorrow.
Cleanliness Is Part of Dignity
And then there is the young man who has abandoned personal hygiene.
His shirt goes for days without washing. His socks are stiff with dirt. His fingernails are neglected. His hair is unkempt. His clothes are torn, yet he makes no effort to repair them.
Water is not gold. Soap is not a luxury reserved for women.
Cleanliness is dignity.
You do not need expensive clothes to look respectable. A simple, clean and properly maintained outfit can say more about you than an expensive designer label.
Take care of your body. Wash your clothes. Trim your nails. Keep your hair neat. Repair what can be repaired.
Even when money is scarce, self-respect should remain affordable.
Dress Like the Future Matters
Your appearance does not have to be expensive, but it should show that you respect yourself.
Move away from torn trousers that expose your body and shirts worn merely for fashion when they no longer provide decent coverage.
Dress appropriately.
The way you present yourself will not determine your entire future, but discipline in small things often reflects discipline in bigger ones.
When Marriage Comes, Choose Character
And when the time finally comes to marry, do not allow friends to make the decision for you.
Beauty fades. Money can disappear. Social status can change.
Character matters.
Look for someone who is respectful, hardworking, responsible and committed to building a home with you.
Do not choose a partner simply because of physical appearance or family wealth.
A good marriage is not a competition for the most beautiful face. It is a partnership built on respect, responsibility and shared purpose.
And if a relationship ends, end it with dignity. Do not publicly humiliate or insult someone you once loved.
How you treat people after a relationship tells a great deal about your character.
The Lion Must Still Prepare
The young generation should not live like hyenas waiting for leftovers.
You are not powerless. You are not finished. You are not too late.
But potential without discipline remains only potential.
Study. Work. Save. Learn. Build. Stay clean. Dress decently. Control your habits. Respect people. Prepare for responsibility.
Tomorrow does not arrive fully formed.
You build it through the choices you make today.
The lion may possess strength, but it still has to hunt, protect its territory and prepare for the next day.
You are the lion—but you must act like one.
Kifuuta has spoken.
