Uganda by Eric Leese

First Uganda (in the continent of Africa), is an usual “holiday” destination, I admit; but a truly unforgettable experience! Marianne persuaded me to go as she wanted to meet the three orphan girls she has been sponsoring there for a number of years through an Organisation called Go Uganda.

Flying into Uganda was an amazing contrast, from the sandy desert to a lush green landscape, watered by the Nile, with tiny round thatched huts dotting the landscape. As a further contrast, Kampala, the capitol, is a mad maze of streets without names and a mixture of structures built from hand mixed concrete and anything else that is available. (I heard that at least one building a week collapses in the city: thankfully our guesthouse was of a better quality!). The next day, a Sunday, we went to Jordan House, the Kampala mission where we were to meet two of our sponsored girls. A three hour morning church service was in progress like nothing I have seen and we joined in the singing and dancing, all the time getting hugs and lots of attention from all the children. (See photos attached). I should mention we had joined a group of people from Tasmania who had come for the same purpose.

After a few days at Kampala we went by mini bus to a couple of remote schools and missions, where we really saw how badly off the children were, many in rags and only getting a half a cup of maize porridge a day to live off. Nevertheless the getting we got was amazing: shouts of “Mzungu”, (white person), clapping, hugs, handshakes and welcomes from hundreds of smiling little black faces. We had arrived with a ute load of school books and general stationary for the schools which was very much appreciated, as most of the kids in the remote areas had to share a pencil and had but one thin notebook to work on, which they carried round as their most prized possession.

We spent some time traveling around including a boat trip up the Nile, (lots of bird life, hippos and large Nile alligators), and to a couple of waterfalls before going back to Jorden House for more time with the kids there and Marianne went to meet her third sponsored child in her home which was extremely small and primitive. She had been sick and without help from sponsorship may have died. On the last three days of our stay we went on a safari. The wildlife in Uganda is amongst the best in Africa and although we didn’t get to trek up to see the gorillas, we did manage to see a lioness at quite close quarters. Lots of giraffes, antelope’s and elephants.

For other visitors, I can say that at no time did we feel and concern about our safety in Uganda, although like in any third world country, care needs to be taken in the built up areas. Shopping for artifacts is plentiful and the bargaining is not stressful. Very cheap and some nice wood, clay, cloth and other items such as banana leaf paintings. Bottled water is everywhere and reasonable food is available for tourists including plenty of Indian type food.

Uganda is a relatively easy country to travel in as English speaking abound and one can hire a good guide and four wheel drive to travel around the countryside. (Don’t attempt to drive yourself and just trust in the skills of your driver!)

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