In a shocking move that's sending shockwaves through the nation, the Office of the Traditional Men of Uganda has slammed the brakes on men's Valentine's Day gift-giving, branding it a pathetic display of weakness that's eroding the very foundations of traditional masculinity. Godfrey Kuteesa, the self-appointed chief of the group, isn't mincing words as he lays down the law, declaring that any man caught kneeling, clutching flowers, or handing out chocolates to women will face a brutal 120 lashes and a humiliating public disciplinary session where a chunk of their hair will be hacked off as punishment.
But Kuteesa isn't just banning romantic gestures; he's also pushing a radical new agenda for Valentine's Day. Forget about showering your sweetheart with love and affection; this year, it's all about cold, hard cement. That's right, the Traditional Men of Uganda are urging guys to ditch the flowers and invest in building materials instead, claiming that financial and infrastructural stability should be the top priority for any self-respecting man.
The controversial declaration has ignited a firestorm of reactions across Uganda, with some dismissing it as a satirical jab at modern love and others seeing it as a disturbing sign of a growing backlash against evolving gender roles and expectations in relationships. Twitter is exploding with sarcastic quips, like one user who gushes, "I hope my husband gets me a bag of cement for Valentine's. Nothing says romance like construction materials."
But not everyone's laughing off the ban as a joke. Sarah Nabukenya, a no-nonsense relationship coach based in Kampala, isn't pulling any punches as she slams the statement as a blatant attempt to police men's emotions and expressions of love. "There's nothing weak about giving your partner flowers if that's how you choose to express your feelings," she fires back, refusing to let the Traditional Men of Uganda dictate how couples should celebrate their love.
Of course, there are plenty of guys out there who are cheering on the cement-pushing, flower-bashing crusade. Abel Kabandize didn't mince words on X, ranting, "This is humorous yet accurate. First off, what makes a real man who is striving for the future purchase flowers? To what end?" And he's not the only one who thinks sentimental gifts are a waste of time and money. Absolom, another X user, shared a jaw-dropping story about how he once had a crush on a girl who kept blowing him off, so he started buying books worth the same amount he would have spent on dates every time she turned him down. Talk about a plot twist!
But even as some men rally behind the idea of trading in romance for cold, hard cash, others argue that relationships and gestures of affection are just as important as financial stability. And despite the controversy swirling around the ban, florists and gift shops in Kampala aren't breaking a sweat, brushing off the whole thing as a big joke and banking on lovebirds to keep the Valentine's Day spirit alive. Only time will tell if Ugandan men will ditch the flowers and chocolates in favor of cement and books, but one thing's for sure: this Valentine's Day is shaping up to be one for the history books.
But Kuteesa isn't just banning romantic gestures; he's also pushing a radical new agenda for Valentine's Day. Forget about showering your sweetheart with love and affection; this year, it's all about cold, hard cement. That's right, the Traditional Men of Uganda are urging guys to ditch the flowers and invest in building materials instead, claiming that financial and infrastructural stability should be the top priority for any self-respecting man.
The controversial declaration has ignited a firestorm of reactions across Uganda, with some dismissing it as a satirical jab at modern love and others seeing it as a disturbing sign of a growing backlash against evolving gender roles and expectations in relationships. Twitter is exploding with sarcastic quips, like one user who gushes, "I hope my husband gets me a bag of cement for Valentine's. Nothing says romance like construction materials."
But not everyone's laughing off the ban as a joke. Sarah Nabukenya, a no-nonsense relationship coach based in Kampala, isn't pulling any punches as she slams the statement as a blatant attempt to police men's emotions and expressions of love. "There's nothing weak about giving your partner flowers if that's how you choose to express your feelings," she fires back, refusing to let the Traditional Men of Uganda dictate how couples should celebrate their love.
Of course, there are plenty of guys out there who are cheering on the cement-pushing, flower-bashing crusade. Abel Kabandize didn't mince words on X, ranting, "This is humorous yet accurate. First off, what makes a real man who is striving for the future purchase flowers? To what end?" And he's not the only one who thinks sentimental gifts are a waste of time and money. Absolom, another X user, shared a jaw-dropping story about how he once had a crush on a girl who kept blowing him off, so he started buying books worth the same amount he would have spent on dates every time she turned him down. Talk about a plot twist!
But even as some men rally behind the idea of trading in romance for cold, hard cash, others argue that relationships and gestures of affection are just as important as financial stability. And despite the controversy swirling around the ban, florists and gift shops in Kampala aren't breaking a sweat, brushing off the whole thing as a big joke and banking on lovebirds to keep the Valentine's Day spirit alive. Only time will tell if Ugandan men will ditch the flowers and chocolates in favor of cement and books, but one thing's for sure: this Valentine's Day is shaping up to be one for the history books.
