I am at the
end of an eight-day trip to Uganda, that has included five days learning how to
be an emergency medical first responder. It was an intense course, full of
practical scenarios that you hope you will never have to face. One exercise
literally involved us inserting an intravenous drip into our partner’s arm and
vice verca. Needless to say, many of us could not find the necessary vein! That
ended on Friday and then I came up to Jinja, on the border of the Central and
Eastern Regions of Uganda, for some chill out time.
I don’t
know why exactly, but I just love being in Uganda. The place feels a million miles away
from South Sudan in pretty much every respect and yet they border each other in
the North. The country is so green and lush and when it rains it is an absolute
deluge. Yesterday when we were trying to drive to Jinja, we had to take a break
as the visibility went down to zero despite the best efforts of the wind screen
wipers. Uganda is clean and developed, whole towns of brick built buildings and
lovely terracotta roofs. The food is great, there is good technology connection
and you can pay by card pretty much anywhere. The contrast with South Sudan is
staggering. Then there are people, very friendly and open. I don’t think you
can say the same for the South Sudanese and interestingly it surprising how
many Africans comment on the arrogance and unfriendliness of their northern
neighbours. I hope in time; the South Sudanese will become more open. I guess
in the present climate, just surviving is top of their list. I think most of all,
the country needs security followed by a plethora of home grown entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses.
Earlier today,
I was in this most amazing lodge on an island in the middle of the River Nile. I had a
cottage that juts out into the river. Last night I took a bath on the veranda,
under the stars and surrounded by some seriously noisy insects. It is a myth
half the time, at least in Africa, that the countryside is quiet. Birds calling
constantly, choruses of frogs and the click click click of insect legs. I woke
up this morning in a ridiculously comfortable bed to the sound of rushing
water.
Africa gets
such a bad press half the time. People ask me why I would want to live and work
there, isn’t dangerous? If those same people came to places like this, they
would take all those comments back. It is great to see locals starting
businesses, expanding their hotels and embracing the opportunities to be made
through tourism. Then there is the green aspect of the country, as far as I am
aware, much of Uganda’s energy comes from hydroelectric dams, fed by the
powerful rivers that run through it. Juba sits on the banks of the River Nile,
it seems crazy that the city doesn't benefit more from such a resource.
Today, I
travelled back to Entebbe and the tomorrow back to Juba. The last few weeks have
been a bit of a roller coaster while I find out if my contract will be extended
beyond the end of June. This week should give me more clarification. I am
definitely not ready to leave Africa yet, so keep your fingers crossed.
J.
