Friday 27 May 2011

Uganda: The Sights of Kampala

During our stay in Kampala, the SCAW team has passed through the city many times.

It is a city of 2.5 million, surrounded by seven hills.

From Uganda 2011


Traffic always seems to be heavy – bumper to bumper. The locals call it “The Jam.” It is hard to find a time when you are not in the jam, but you are entertained by all the sights along the route.

You see old and modern buildings, from grand houses to poverty stricken slums. Roads are full of cars, bikes, motorcycles, and buses which dart around each other with just inches to spare. The motorcycles are called “boda bodas” which are private rentals with price negotiated with the owner for short and long distances. I was amazed at the number of new cars with gas at two dollars a litre. Motorcycles will always carry 1 to 4 persons including children between the parents, none with helmets.

From Uganda 2011


The streets are lined with hundreds of vendor stalls selling vegetables, fruits, wood, furniture, meat, chickens, turkeys, and fashion. These vendors are trying to make enough money to survive. Uganda has a 70 per cent unemployment rate

From Uganda 2011


Beds and upholstered furniture are made on the spot and stay outside the stalls until sold. Cows and goats wander the streets, some tethered some just wandering. Traffic moves out of their way.

Sidewalks are busy with people walking in brightly coloured clothing, African traditional and modern styles. They grill in hibachi pots in the stalls. Eggs, fish, stew, fruits, and vegetables all come from the pot! Kampala’s fast food!

The team visited the poverty areas of the city where many of the children are helped by SCAW. The residents receiving the help receive it with dignity and pride. Previous recipients of SCAW bedkits welcomed us into their homes to show us how they have been using the donated items. Uniforms and mattresses are passed down through the family.

Kampala and surrounding area has a great need for SCAW’S continued support.

Uganda 2011


Lorna Hedger
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team


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To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at right.