Uganda, Feb. 15 -- Valentine's Day is represented by many images. For me, the image that always plays on a loop in my head is of American actor Tm Cruise jumping on talk show host Oprah Winfrey's couch as he shared his unbridled love for his then betrothed Katie Holmes. His excitement was so infectious that I could feel it all the way in my living room in Uganda. Similarly, when the marriage crumbled, I could feel Holmes' fear and helplessness.

I guess English playwright, poet and actor William Shakespeare was right on the money when he observed that all is fair in love and war. In other words, in both situations man can be excused if he ignores conventions and abandons common sense when making decisions.

For most of us Valentine's Day ...