kind and loving people seem to be in Uganda. Everyone smiles. People
hold hands or touch in some other way. When someone asks, "How are
you?" they wait to hear your answer and usually follow-up with more
questions about how you slept, your gastronomic status, or both.
I've met people from all over the country and indeed from all over
Africa. My new game is to try and guess someone's district or country
based on phenotypic characteristics. I can already usually distinguish
northerners, Kenyans, Bugandans, Ethiopians, Congolese and Sudanese.
It's fascinating. I can't wait to start learning dialects so that I
can catch those subtitles.
…Speaking of which, I've started learning some of the local Lungandan
– one of the 56 languages here. I am also trying to learn a bit of the
main language of Arua, but that is going to have to wait more or less
until I head up there since I have no chance to really practice it in
Kampala and the south. Pronunciation is relatively easy, with the
exception of all the rolling "r" sounds which seem to appear more in
the northern dialects.
But back to the people… A snap shot of some of the folks I've met:
Christopher from Gulu. Gulu is one of the northern towns hit hard by
the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) over the years. The LRA is the main
rebel group in the area that abducts children as soldiers and forces
them to do horrendous acts such as raping and mutilating villagers,
particularly family members so the youth can never return. Fortunately
the LRA have been pushed out and have been inactive in Uganda for a
number of years (unfortunately they are now in the Congo and Sudan
though). Christopher grew up with the violence, and still to this day
doesn't know what happened to his uncle who was abducted by the LRA.
Christopher is probably one of the smartest people I have ever met. He
has won numerous scholarships and studied all over the Africa and
speaks numerous languages. He is always laughing and pretty much
everyone who meets him loves him instantly. I think him and I will
remain friends.
Kalid, a Tanzanian who swam in the Beijing Olympics. We met swimming
and he asked me to join the Ugandan national team training sessions.
He's fast, and getting faster. He started swimming later than most. He
got into it because his dad had a boating accident many years ago and
almost drown because he couldn't swim. His dad never wanted his son to
day at sea so he forced Kalid to learn. Now he swims professionally.
He works for Right To Play, an organization that works around the
world with youth to use sport to teach compassion, respect, and
peacebuilding, but also to give youth in conflict or post-conflict or
poverty stricken areas the chance to play, to be kids. His wife is
still in Tanzania and is expecting their first child in June. I hope
to go hang out with him and his wife later this year.
Flavia, is a stunning Ugandan woman from near Kampala. She kind,
caring and seems to try to make everyone feel welcome. She spends a
few moments with everyone in the class each morning inquiring into the
day, health, etc. She makes everyone feel welcome. She also keeps me
supplied with Jackfruit, known as fene here. Yup, she knows how to
keep me as a friend…food…
Enock, also known as the King of the Jungle. His laughter is like the
roar of a lion (hence the name), which also matches his size (he's a
body builder). He is from the mountainous region in the west. He loves
Uganda and is probably one of the most patriotic people I have ever
met. It's no surprise he is planning to become a politician one day.
He is trying to hire me, but I have politely declined for now.
These are just a few of my many people I have met and spent time with,
but there really are many many more. Like Asina, a true angel -
beautiful, kind, intelligent and ambitious, yet very quiet and
reserved; Wilfred the vet, a joy to be around… the list could go on
and on.
I hope you can meet them all, one day, but until then I hope my meagre
words can bring you just a bit closer for now.
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