This is what it's like living in Uganda
Africa is a place that fascinates many of the people in the West. It
still fascinates me and I live here. I don’t know if it’s the beat of those
African drums, the relaxed pace of life, the smiling faces that greet me
whenever I’m out and about or that I frequently find myself humoured by the fact
that some things can only be explained with a shrug and a smile! There’s just
something about this continent. Sometimes people ask me, ‘What it’s like living
in Uganda’? Depending on the timeframe given, my answer can range from ‘good’
to a 3 hour conversation. Here’s a quick read that i will cut down in no
particular order:
1. Security. The moment you step off the plane you will notice
it. It might be the fact that the UN and the US Air Force were the only other
planes at the tiny airport or the fact that everyday you’ll see 60-85 armed
guards cruising the streets carrying automatic weapons. Either way, it’s a
slight change from NZ.It’s also not surprising in Uganda to see young
men carrying rifles across their chest in a busy marketplace or on their
motorbikes. Every time I go into a public place like a shopping district,
restaurant, supermarket or hotel – I’ll be patted down, have to put my bag
through a check and have my car looked over inside, outside and underside for
weapons.
2. Weather. Uganda is on the equator which means that the
temperature is pretty constant year round – 27-31 degrees Celsius most days.
When it rains, it rains like you would expect in the songs you hear about African rain.
These tropical rainstorms usually lasts a couple hours before clearing to the
hazy/smoggy blue sky that covers most of the country year round. You sweat
every day and your body is consistently caked in a fine layer of red dust that
never quite comes out.
3. Transport. One has four options. 1. Walking. 2. Taxi (van
that legally seats 10 but actually seats 15 humans, a few chickens and fish
strapped to the exterior bullbars). 3. BodaBoda’s - these motorcycles make the city feel alive.
With the loud engines, dodgy driving and colourful characters driving them –
if you have a heart attack then this one won't favor you. I have personally seen an average of
accidents every few weeks. 4. Cars – we
are driving a massive Land Cruiser Troop Carrier 4.2Litre Diesel
engine. It feels great to be driving a vehicle that can ram anything off the
road. This attitude is of course of
great concern to Tim with our company's driving record.
4. Food. You buy most of
your food at markets here and then pick up the rest of your items from a small
supermarket. Fresh vegetables and fruit are offered on
almost every street corner in the country. Tropical fruit like mangoes,
pineapples and passion fruit are staples and most other vegetables eaten in
the West are available. Quality varies from stall to stall and we often buy
fruit and veg twice a week to keep things fresh in the constant heat. The local
stable food in Uganda is
matoke, beans, rice, posho,meat, and g-nut.
If you pull over to the side of the road while driving, you’ll have 25
Ugandans run up to your car trying to sell you anything from toilet paper to a
goat (we hope) kebab stick. If we want a quick local snack we go for a rolex (a
chapatti (local bread) with a fried egg/tomato/cabbage omelette wrapped inside
it). That will fill you up. There’s also a handful of
safe and yummy places to go out to eat. 
5.Garbage Challenges. Brushing your teeth with bottled water. Dealing with Mzingu (white people) prices for
everyday goods and services. Being surrounded by corruption in every facet of
life. Unrelenting traffic almost 24/7. Pot holes so deep and roads so bad I have
taken to wearing a sports bra when driving. Sleeping under a mosquito net every
single night. Getting in and out of our house with multiple keys and padlocks. Monster
sized biting ants, dragon flys, bees, snakes, lizards and birds all around the house you live in.
6. Time. It is just different in western countries like in New Zealand you plan your
days and even weekends into hourly chunks unlike Life in Uganda where everything moves at a slow rate, relaxed pace. Nothing happens
quickly. If the water or power goes out, no-one really knows why or when it
will be fixed. And they don’t seem to mind. If we do call someone, their phone
is off. Then, three days later and with no rhyme or reason, it’s back on. If
you’re late it’s not a big deal, it’s expected and appreciated.
7. Morals and Culture. God is important here. The majority of Ugandans
would say they have a Christian faith and attend church. Whether or not they’re
living a Christian lifestyle is another question. Respect for your elders is
paramount and the African saying of it takes a village to raise a child comes
to life here. It’s normal to be raised by a variety of ‘Mama’s’ ranging from
your Aunt to your Grandmather. A poverty mentality can see some people living for
today, not for tomorrow. Instead of letting a tree grow big juicy fruit,
they will pick it at ¼ of the size and make the money for today. Instead of
letting a small tree grow, they will cut it down for firewood tonight,that's life in Uganda.
