A spin through Heathrow airport

You guys’, Heathrow airport is huge like this. It is oba the size of Soroti city? You haven’t been to Soroti city? What’s your excuse? I will wait. If you have friends from Soroti and you’ve not visited their home… You know where I’m going with that, in fact, let me go there. My absence shouldn’t…

Summer flies by

I miss blogging, chillin' out with my peeps, talking about life. I thought the summer would be quiet and relaxed but it's been filled with work assignments and stresses. This picture of Chobe in Northern Uganda gives me pause - a breath of fresh air. It centers my thoughts on good things - nature, wildlife, peace,…

A celebration of cultures – food fest

Cravings for local dishes intensify when one is away from home. The aromas and tastes present a form of security, a familiarity, a remembrance of place. When a meal is shared guards vanish, there’s an understanding - a shared experience. A semblance of unity among people from different tribes and tongues. This probably explains why…

When an Uber ride turns into a counseling session

Uber rides are full of surprises. One never knows what could happen on the journey between destinations. Uber drivers come in different shades, from the quiet DJ’s to the talkative – I’m-so-glad-you-can-listen types. Meet John.

Life in Kampala

Sweat trickled down faces, armpits and backs as the sun baked Kampala. Body odors danced in the slight breeze. Sudden whirlwinds raised dust and sprinkled it over the city. Book and handkerchief vendors consistently dusted their merchandise. Bottles of cold Rwenzori mineral water and Safi sweated in the hands and cardboard boxes of street vendors.…

Uganda Has Personality

Wednesday cheer! Beautiful scene of Lake Bunyonyi in South western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale. Lake Bunyonyi is the fifth deepest lake in the world measuring ~900 depth. I come from a little know village in Teso - Eastern Uganda called Serere. It is mostly dry and flat. Imagine my surprise when I visited Kabale…

Youthful Ignorance

A short story. “Put your leg here. Move up. Not like that. Okay move this side, like this.” Akwi was awkward. Okello propped himself up with one hand, looked at her and laughed. “Really Akwi?” “What?” She tried to follow Okello’s lead but there was a disconnect between what she felt in her heart and…

Drum-Talk in Eastern Uganda

Have you listened to the sound of the drums played in Busoga? The drum (engoma) speaks the local dialect – musical, emphatic and set to a rhythm.   In Jinja, at a small cottage near the source of the Nile I listened one morning as the Basoga drummed to entertain crowds. There was a serious…

Sometimes Home is a Place We Long For

A little old lady asked for directions on the D.C metro the other day. From her accent and facial features I thought she may be Japanese. I asked. She confirmed she was from Japan. When I mentioned that I had been to Japan, she let out a squeal of thrill – that came as a…

Personal Space

“the physical space immediately surrounding someone, into which any encroachment feels threatening to or uncomfortable for them.” Ugandans don’t quite get this personal space thing but American’s consider it vital. Perhaps the country is so big everyone feels entitled to their own space bubble, I don’t know. Here’s what I know, after a few years…