Richard Magezi spent a year in Iraq as a security Guard, he saw it all and did it all. This is the second part as told to Solomon Akugizibwe. The first part was published in our last post here.
We did not get a chance of going outside the camps because the whole country was a combat zone, we were restricted because a combat zone is always unpredictable, sudden and life threatening, meaning that you could be killed at anytime by the insurgents.
I did not meet many Iraqi Christians but I had an Iraqi Christian friend who was an interpreter for the American army and a Kurd from northern Iraq. Whenever he would go on leave to his village, he would bring me many good things to eat. He always put on a rosary and told me that Christians in Iraq are very many and can also influence government decisions.
There were also chapels inside the base where Ugandan guards and American soldiers would pray.
Sandstorms
It was like any other normal storm which would take three to four days and was very common, especially in the summer. During the storm, the atmosphere would be filled up by sand blown by strong winds, disrupting everything before settling down. Planes and military convoys would not move because the visibility would be very low. You couldn’t see a person 20 meters away from you. Besides, it was a threat to our health and to be safe, you had to wear nose masks. It was also a threat to security but on the other hand, it would also make it hard for the insurgents to operate.
Bombings
I had put the issue of the suicide bombers behind my back because before I left for Iraq, the UPDF colonel who recruited me gave me a very inspiring message which reduced all my fears. He told me that “hey, when you are going to make money, never think about death, look at me, I have been shot many times in the back but, am I not living?” When you want to achieve something, never think about death. On my mission to Iraq, I wasn’t scared because I was prepared for anything which would befall me while on duty.
I first witnessed victims of bombings in a hospital in Ballad, it was a very sad experience, some had died with no heads, smashed stomachs and others were in critical conditions with no legs or hands. Victims of the bombings were mostly Iraqis. The bombs were locally made but they were very powerful to an extent of flattening a five-story building. Bombers would target people at gatherings and other public places.
Love life
In Iraq I had no girlfriend, but back home in Uganda I had a girlfriend called Lucy. As soon as I landed in Iraq, I gave her a call and she was happy. I kept communicating until one day I realised she was going behind my back – cheating on me – I assumed that she had another boy-friend because when I called her while in Iraq, she said “eh, call me after 10 minutes, am still cooking my food.” I wondered how she could do such a thing to me because the airtime was very expensive since it was an international call and besides, someone can receive a call while cooking. It affected me psychologically and I took it as a sign of unreliability. I had to quit the relationship and when I returned to Uganda, I never bothered calling her again.
Best experience
When we reached Iraq, it was summer and it was very hot. We were then deployed in places with air conditioners. It was a wonderful experience because the environment was very conducive and made me like my job.
Worst experience
My worst experience was my first winter season, I wasn’t used to it and it was very cold. I was working outside and although I would wear winter clothing, the coldness would penetrate my body and make me shiver.
Weapons that amazed me
Stryker: It was an armoured vehicle used by the US Army. It was computerised and could move with no lights or sound at night. It uses night vision goggles to “see” at night. I had never sat in it but it resembles a chopper inside. It has four guns on top – two in front and two behind - with four gunners controlling them. Although the gunners’ heads were always out, they are surrounded bullet-proof glass which makes it hard for bullets to hit them. It also has detectors in front which can detect and “disorganize” the bombs. It is very heavy, fast and big.
Armoram: It is also an armoured vehicle with a driving steering resembling that of a helicopter. It has a driver, co-driver and a gunner inside and a gun on top. The vehicle is very tall, long and big. Although all American armoured vehicles in Iraq are big and heavy, they are also very fast.
Eagle eye camera: The eagle eye camera was like an eye placed very high on an antenna in every American Military Base. Although it is based in one place, it keeps rotating and can view so many miles away from the camp. It can detect anything suspicious and a person in the control room can keep a close watch on it to make a timely follow up. It also has night vision equipments to enable it effectively work at night.
His best friend in Iraq
My best friend was Stephen Nyakoojo who spent all his two years in Iraq staying in an air-conditioned room and doing administrative work. He went to Iraq earlier than me; I went there when he had already spent a year. We knew each other after about two weeks of my deployment at Normandy Camp. He found me in front of the office and asked me where I come from, to which I told him I come from Rwengoma (a village in Fort Portal town). He said “you are from my home base, come and we talk”. We went to his room and chatted, he introduced me to all his room mates. He told them that “this is my brother”. We knew each other’s families – he knew my grandfather Kabagambe, I also knew his grandfather Nyakabwa. Knowing him made my life very easy, he used to pick me for lunch with a car since the dining facility was a bit far from where I used to sleep. He was a leader and he had access to all such luxuries, he also influenced my deployment to good places.
Coming back
Coming back to Uganda was one of my best moments. After one year, our contract ended and we were required to go back home and sign another contract. Our base was also winding up because of the Obama policy to withdraw all US military soldiers from Iraq by 2011. When leaving, we were recalled from all the camps, settled in one camp and arranged into groups of 25 people each so that we could board choppers to the main base. At the main base we were arranged into batches of 100 people each so that we could board one plane to Baghdad International Airport.
At Normandy Camp, we were told to go and sit at the Pax Terminal. I sat at the first terminal, from where we boarded choppers to Ballad – which was the main base in the region. From Ballad, we boarded planes in groups of 100 to Baghdad International Airport where we had received our visas. Our journey to Uganda took nine hours, only stoping at the Yemen Airport for refueling.
Landing at Entebbe
When our plane was landing at Entebbe International Airport, I shed some tears due to over excitement; I couldn’t believe that I was at home finally after surviving bombs in Iraq. Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) officers received us; we filled some forms and were asked questions like where we would be stationed while in Uganda, our contacts and how we benefited from Iraq. After filling the forms, I found my people waiting for me. We headed straight to Makindye at a certain guest house and had a party.
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written by kato, October 14, 2009
YOU ARE SUGGESTING THAT YOU SEE TROUBLE IN THE FUTURE-- MAY BE MAY BE NOT. SPEAK TO MAGEZI AND LEARN MORE OFF THE RECORD.
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written by JIM, October 14, 2009
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written by Tynoz, October 14, 2009
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written by lee, October 14, 2009
take care of ur mouth .
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written by Byamungu, October 15, 2009
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written by Douglas, October 15, 2009
The young men and women you are trying to
put down have done a tremendous job for their
mother land.From FOB where am based,with concerted
effort we have managed to bring to uganda two Americam
army officers.One has bought himself a house and is planning
on starting up a business,that will employ some of our Ugandan
brothers and sisters,including those of JIM.the officer are are spending
on services provided companies paying taxes to our country,feeding on food
produced by JIM's Mother and father.this is to mention but a few.
All of us have seen how the president has been going around trying to find
investor allover the world,so if a Ugandan working in the most dangerous part of the
world can manage to cause an American commisioned officer to come,stay and invest
in our country,surely JIm you should be thankfull.
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written by Douglas, October 15, 2009
The young men and women you are trying to
put down have done a tremendous job for their
mother land.From the FOB where am based,with concerted
effort we managed to bring to Uganda two America
army officers.One has bought himself a house and is planning
on starting up a business,that will employ some of our Ugandan
brothers and sisters,including those of JIM.The officers are are spending
on services provided by companies paying taxes to our country,feeding on food
produced by JIM's Mother and father. This is to mention but a few.
All of us have seen how the president has been going around trying to find
investor allover the world,so if a Ugandan working in the most dangerous part of the
world can manage to cause an American commisioned officer to come,stay and invest
in our country,surely Jim,for you to question his intelect makes me wounder.You should be thankfull.
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written by Douglas, October 15, 2009
the job that JIM detests so much,unlike JIM am making a difference in the life of two Ugandans.
About what knowledge we have gained from Iraq;
JIM,we are not going to share with you-a civilian what you are not supposed to gain access to.
however our American brothers have shared a lot with us,life skills,we have gotten a chance to get a
bigger perspective of what the world is all about,unlike poor Jim who i bet has never even crossed Karuma or Jinja we have gained a lot of knowledge that we are not going to share here.
We've seen what a professional army is comprised of,what its capable of doing,how it handles itself
amongst civilians,how to manage and administer institutions,squads,platoons,businesses,our families
because we get classes down here from chaplains,senior military officer from the American Army,professionals we meet coming fro allover the world,etc
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written by Douglas, October 15, 2009
in Iraq,then am sorry for u,cause we are going to bring this much needed money
to our country and make a difference to many people's lives.
You in fact seem to have a problem with the word 'Askari' it means soldier in swahili
I donot need to explain the word guard to you,if you despise it,then am sorry to tell
you that the sitting president in the country you live in once guarded coz he was a soldier
other thing is in every place a Ugandan works there is an American soldiers doing the same job as his Ugandan brother.
JIM is used to European Nkuba kyeyos,who walk Dogs,take care of the old people,sweep
roads,carry stuf in supermarkets,etc thats what JIM would qualify for in Europe.
I don't support Magezi for showing some pictures in the press and saying some other
critical stuff,but over all he has the right to share his experiences with the world.
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written by Douglas, October 15, 2009
lets have a private conversation at \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ,
u may be more educated than I am,but am willing to share with u first hand 'SIR'
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written by Nyamwatsa, October 15, 2009
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written by moses, October 15, 2009
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written by Bialu-Lushambo, October 16, 2009
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written by kato, October 16, 2009
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written by bubbby, October 16, 2009
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written by kasese, October 16, 2009
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written by bubbby, October 16, 2009
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written by kasese, October 16, 2009
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written by anon, October 16, 2009
then there is one Jim who seems to speak with alot of vile and bitterness about our brothers who are out there trying to make ends meet. with the vengeance with which Mr Jim speaks, one would think he tried to go to Iraq and failed(maybe he failed the HIV test....lol) anyway, seriously Jim, i personally know of 3 ""guys who have been able
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written by anon, October 16, 2009
in conclusion, to our boys in Iraq, i wish you all the best and pray you will be able to invest your hard earned savings properly. ignorant people like Jim can always try to demean you but it shows pure lack of class for such people to arrogantly criticise law abiding citizens who are contributing a lot to their families.
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written by dre, October 16, 2009
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written by Douglas, October 16, 2009
Its about what one has done for his country and not what and where his earning
a living from!
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written by K_ce', October 16, 2009
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written by paul, October 17, 2009
sharing the pictures for their weapons with media without permission? afterall you very well know that as a TCN you did not deserve a camera and take pictures of AMERICAN militARY INSTALLATIONS. do u know your are puting fellow ugandans still over there in trouble by telling the world that we have been taking pictures and therefore some of us like you can easily sell imformation to the enemy? do you know why ugandans were first trusted by the US military;discpline but i think you are telling them that ugandans are very indiscplined. i wish i can see you face to face but you dont deserve to be a military personnel.
thank you
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written by paul, October 17, 2009
sharing the pictures for their weapons with media without permission? afterall you very well know that as a TCN you did not deserve a camera and take pictures of AMERICAN militARY INSTALLATIONS. do u know your are puting fellow ugandans still over there in trouble by telling the world that we have been taking pictures and therefore some of us like you can easily sell imformation to the enemy? do you know why ugandans were first trusted by the US military;discpline but i think you are telling them that ugandans are very indiscplined. i wish i can see you face to face but you dont deserve to be a military personnel.
thank you
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written by nsuro, October 17, 2009
WE just keep at heart..!!
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written by kato, October 17, 2009
One thing i notice in the commentry is a bad condecsending attitude about Ugandans who try to make a leaving outside Uganda. Please understand that it is for lack of better choices that they do what they do. For you guys who diss them it is OK and count yourselves blessed but please give some respect to people's choices for survival and progress.
And for those who think that the military equipment in the pics is classified need to spend some time on the internet.
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written by Ozo, October 18, 2009
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written by JIM, October 18, 2009
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written by mwine Sam, October 19, 2009
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written by Muromba David., October 19, 2009
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written by anon, October 19, 2009
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written by anon, October 19, 2009
again, people seem to be condemining Magezi, truth be told he has a right to his story and those pictures of the "sensitive weapons" are allover the internet...IMO, he is within legal means...
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written by Paste, October 20, 2009
You need to revise your response towards Iraq. Iraq has nothing to do with the press shut up!!
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written by Paste, October 20, 2009
You need to revise your response towards Iraq. Iraq has nothing to do with the press shut up!!
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written by Paste, October 20, 2009
You need to revise your response towards Iraq. Iraq has nothing to do with the press shut up!!
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written by Paste, October 20, 2009
You need to revise your response towards Iraq. Iraq has nothing to do with the press shut up!!
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written by Paste, October 20, 2009
You need to revise your response towards Iraq. Iraq has nothing to do with the press shut up!!
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written by Paste, October 20, 2009
You need to revise your response towards Iraq. Iraq has nothing to do with the press shut up!!
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written by oweka moses, October 20, 2009
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written by Bosco Berebera, October 20, 2009
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written by charis, October 22, 2009
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written by nakabugo christine, October 29, 2009
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written by lawrence, November 12, 2009
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written by james, December 15, 2009
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written by james, December 15, 2009
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written by Lyakota Richard., January 22, 2010
I can conclude that, this is going to be a bad experience where companies are working with fraud, in this needed new life for the people of Iraq and that of our poor Ugandan brothers.
I would really be interested in going and working in Iraq or any life n: \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Thank you for your help!
Richard Lyakota.
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written by molne, April 16, 2010
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written by reeds, June 26, 2010
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written by pelambi, July 28, 2010
But hey, why d so much hatred 4 Magezi, was he d bad guy while in Iraq, that he couldnt even renew his contract 4 another yuear 2 make an extra dime? his social skills are still lacking,
Anyhow, kudos 2 u our Iraquee brothers, ffe tubamatila, atleast u r much better than so many here, earning 200k with their Masters degrees.......
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What skill will his "buddies" bring to the table when they get back to the homeland. How will they fit in the economic sphere of Uganda today? Do they see themselves sitting guard at a Bank, private biz or home earning a palty ugx70,000 per mth if it comes at all? I think not. SO i say again, I see trouble ahead. But the NRM doesnt care afterall most are sons & daugthrs of NRM die hards but we the public should be vigilant.