Driving from Kiwoko to Kampala is a journey of about 2.5 hours.

The road from Kiwoko to Luwero is a Maram (mud) road, and then from Luwero to Kampala is tarmaced. A year ago the tarmac was in truly awful condition – in places the potholes regularly overturned lorries, in others the road had been so eaten away by rain that it was only just wide enough for a single vehicle to pass – resulting in one of you having to dive for the ditch should you meet a larger vehicle on such a section.

Half way to Luwero one passes through a swamp known as Lugogo, famous during the civil war as it provided a natural obstacle behind which Museveni’s forces were able to be relatively secure. As I reached it this morning, a dramatically large red globe was making its presence known through the morning mist. A grand way to start the day, as children walked along the road with hoes tossed lightly over the shoulder on the way to the family’s small plot to till the soil before the heat of the day would be upon us. Their enthusiastic shouts of jest to the passing Muzungu remain a constant challenge to those of us who work hard seeking pleasure yet often find it elusive.

Having been working on the road for several years, most of the potholes have now been repaired, and efforts to reinforce the edges of the road seem to be having some success against the rains. The travel time to Kampala has reduced by 20% and has become much safer as there is less need for vehicles to swerve into the path of oncoming traffic to avoid huge holes in the road.

However…

While travelling to Kampala this morning I noted again what an interesting journey it can be. Half way to Kampala I was passed by a cavalcade of wedding cars going the other way. A police escort and several ministerial vehicles implied importance, but the most noteworthy thing was the number of vehicles containing priests – and indeed the main wedding car seemed to have several bishops judging by their attire. As I was musing on this unusual wagon train I approached a banner across the road, looking like a finishing line for a race, with a small crowd of well wishers. I read the message on the banner welcoming the new Bishop to Luwero….and then it made sense. The Roman Catholic archbishop of Luwero was appointed Archbishop of Uganda some months ago, so his successor was being enthroned today. Not a wedding after all then. It also made sense of the business outside the cathedral in Luwero as I passed by – including the rather unusual ‘Guinness’ tent which had given it all an air of an Irish sporting event.

Sadly my pleasure at seeing such a number of clerics in festive mood was quickly muted. The road has still many sections of road works, and on one of these a small car in a rush kicked up a stone onto my lovely new windscreen leaving a large crack in the middle of it. I blessed the man in Jesus name and considered if my Luganda would be up to a frank discussion if I caught up with him. He got away so I never found out.

Reaching Kampala, the capital city of Kampala I reset the car’s suspension to soft to deal with the potholes again – and sat in the long traffic jams being offered airtime for my phone, a morning paper, a new pair of shoes, an inflatable hammer, and some fresh bananas. Airtime for my phone was all that was required. Though the good natured salesmen never seem upset at the lack of a purchase and invariably wish one a good day on departure.

I then phoned someone I needed to meet and they assured me that they were at home waiting for me. On arriving at their home their flatmate explained that they were at work! In Uganda people feel under pressure to please you by providing the answer which they think you desire rather than necessarily the true one! This can be somewhat exasperating at times.

So Uganda remains Uganda.

Things at the hospital have been busy, but good with our visiting EKISA team working with our children.

However if I write more you will too bored to continue….

Thus, more anon,

Lots of love meantime,

Rory.