Root
I am the root,
Buried deep in the fertile red soil of Luanda
Where the spirit of the Baganda whispers on the wind.
Wing
I am the wing
Sweeping over the coconut palms and white sands of Changombe,
Where the strength of the Mijikenda lies in the tide.
Name
I am Derek Bbanga,
A name that echoes across the savannah and the sea.
One half of my heart beats to the drum of the Bataka,
The other dances to the rhythm of the Kaya forest.
Bridge
I am the living bridge between Uganda and Kenya,
A testament to the unbroken, beautiful chain of resilience.
I am the wanderer who always knew the way home,
The dreamer who realized his dream was not a place, but a purpose.
Grandparents
My grandfather Wakubirwa showed me that wealth is in the family,
Grandmother Norah taught me that strength is in the community.
Grandfather Samuel and Grandmother Mary showed me the ocean of opportunity,
And my heart has found its shore.
Purpose
I am the strength of my ancestors,
And the fire of my own ambition.
I am a celebration of two histories, woven into one purpose.
I am here to connect, to build and to serve.
Becoming
I am the root and the wing.
I am the future they saw, coming to life.
Unapologetically.