I would never have believed the last days in Uganda would have been so packed full of activities. Wednesday 17 February, I was up early to finish packing and to clean up a bit before leaving Kampala. My driver, Sisson, was running late which gave me time to say my last goodbyes to Vivian and the family, including Henry who came to drive Vivian to her meeting. Sisson had been waylaid by an earlier passenger but arrived just before Vivian left. The streets of Kampala were quiet as many families had left the city to stay in their villages over the election period. It took about an hour to reach our destination, the guesthouse where I would be staying before flying out on Friday. I don’t really think my host’s husband had approved to the offer of me staying rent free even after reassuring him I would provide my own meals. I also thought I would try to keep out of his way as much as I could. I was given a choice of two rooms and chose the furthest away from the lounge room for some quiet.
It was a beautiful room overlooking the garden and included an ensuite with shower, toilet and basin. I felt very spoilt. After unpacking a few essentials I decided to explore. I contacted one of the Couchsurfers I had arranged to meet here in Entebbe who suggested we meet in two hours when he was free.
I had a bit of time to explore. I wanted to find out what was in the area, to see where I could get a cappuccino and lunch so I headed out the gate towards the main road. Although it was a hot day, the best way to look around was to walk. Reaching the main road I note the landmarked of the Victorian Medical Centre on the corner, then turned left towards some shops. There were two supermarkets but no coffee shops and I couldn’t see any local eating shops either. I kept walking till I saw the airport in the distance. Hmmmm I think I was heading out of Entebbe not towards the town so I asked a lady on the street who directed me back the way I had come and said keep walking along the Airport Road till I came to the town.
T
he tropical sun was scorching! I’m was sure the temperature was only in the high twenties but it felt much hotter maybe it was due to the humidity. I was feeling drained. I stopped off at the Victoria Lake Hotel for a break to cool down and to ask about a cappuccino but it was very expensive. After a short stop I headed off again towards town, this was when I saw a tourist information hut. Here I picked up a map of Entebbe and inquired about a coffee shop with local prices. It was suggested I try Anna’s Corner which was back along the road I’d just come along. I walked back and saw a huge sign which announced they had just moved 800mts down the road and left onto Queens Road. Ok, we were at a cross road was it back along the way I had come or down the road towards the lake? Not all road names were marked on the map and I couldn’t see Queens Road.
Just then two cars pulled up looking like they didn’t know where they were going either. The occupants were an Indian family. I asked if they knew where Queens Road and Anna’s Corner was. They were looking for the botanical gardens. I looked at my small map and found that the gardens were just down the road we were on. They offered me a lift, so we went together in search of the coffee shop and gardens. The coffee shop was nowhere to be seen and it seemed the gardens were not the ones they were looking for so we turned around heading for the Victoria Lake Hotel where I asked to be dropped.
Meanwhile I was sending WhatsApp messages to Moses the Couchsurfer I was hoping to meet and who was definitely running on African time as he was well over two hours late! Arriving at the corner where the hotel was I sat under a tree to cool off. Here, while chatting to a Boda Boda driver, I met two Maasai, from Tanzania dressed in their traditional costume. I asked if I could take their photo but was told no. I remembered my first time to South Africa I had gone to Swaziland and I had taken photos of two Maasai worriers who were very angry at me taking their photos. I was told they believed it stole their soul. I’m glad I remembered to ask this time.
Once I had recovered a bit from the heat, I headed back towards where I was staying to see if I could find Anna’s Corner along the main road. Sure enough Queens Road was the road just past the Victorian Medical Centre. I walked down till I found the entrance to the coffee shop which was also a souvenir and pizza shop owned by an Italian lady, Anna. She greeted me and showed me around. They had only just moved there and were still organizing things. It was now far too late for me to have a coffee so I just sat outside in the shade with a soft breeze cooling me down. I waited here for Moses till it approached 3pm then set off in search of some lunch. After browsing through the two supermarkets I strolled down the roads asking where I might buy lunch. Many queries later and after wondering around for nearly an hour I eventually found a small shop at the taxi park serving chicken and chips for around $2.50.
I
then headed back to the guesthouse to shower and cool down. Around 6 pm Moses and his little brother, Shaban, arrived actually they had been waiting at the gate trying to call me but as I hadn’t changed my WhatsApp number from the South African number it just went to message bank! Sorry Moses! My host was reluctant to let him in when he rang the doorbell but when, I called him on his phone he realised he was my visitor. Moses took me for a long walk, not that I needed anymore exercise after today’s wanderings!
We went to a nearby Aero beach which was fenced off area with lawn, benches and tables for picnics. The tables and chairs were also along the shoreline. We sat here chatting awhile till it started getting dark. Moses came from a Muslim family, his mother had been kicked out when his father married his second wife. Not long after this Moses found himself living off the streets. He later met an American visitor looking for directions whom he helped. After sharing his story the American took him in as family and helped him finish his schooling. Unfortunately not long after this he died leaving Moses once again on the streets. During his time with the Am
erican, Moses gave his life to Christ, once again on the streets he decided he also wanted to help those less fortunate to himself. These days he visits and helps the poor living on the streets. He visits farmers and asks for donations of staple foods, he also takes visiting teams around the slums and in turn they provide financial support for clean water, food, medical treatment and schooling. He has also helped set up a very primitive village school in a few rooms, which is run by a local pastor.
As it was getting dark, he walked me back to the guesthouse promising to catch up with me the following day. I slept well that night although it was still hot and sticky and I needed to sleep under a mosquito net without a fan. I had been advised by the Kampala Korean doctor, to take Malaria tablets while in Entebbe as this was a Malaria infected area. Sleeping under mosquito net of course traps in the heat and even thought the windows were open (having screens) this side of the house had no breeze so it was stifling!
Thursday after my normal wake up routine I was out the door by 11am to visit Anna’s Corner which I had promised to return to for a cappuccino. It was voting day here in Uganda and unfortunately for me Anna had decided to close the coffee shop for the workers to have a day off. She kindly let me in after I had rung the gate bell and gave me a bottle of water on the house. After a chat and a rest I once again walk to Lake Victoria Hotel as Anna suggested I try the cappuccino by the pool. My friend Helen had also mentioned that her friend who was staying at the hotel, may call me.
Th
e cappuccino was well worth the visit. I then sat by the pool under the awnings just relaxing watching two little boys have a swimming lesson. I didn’t know when Helen’s friend was going to call but had decided because I could pay by card and my cash was getting low I would also stay for lunch. As I relaxed enjoying having no agenda I prayed the Lord might lead whoever He wanted me to chat to, my way. Not long after this I noticed a gentleman who looked like he wanted to sit in the sun. I suggested it was too hot and he was welcome to sit at my table which he did and we struck up a conversation. Andrew is a doctor from the UK who had worked in several Africa countries and was soon to head north. He was with a local Ugandan, Carlos, who as it happened, was the father of the two boys I’d been watching learn to swim. Carlos and he delightful boys, William and Geroge, eventually joined us and at the end of the day invited me to join them on a boat ride across the lake. I had nothing planned so agreed.
Helen’s friend hadn’t contacted me, I couldn’t get through to Moses, neither had he answered my SMS (which later he said he had not received) but I had had a wonderful afternoon learning all about the things Andrew and Carlos were involved in. It was after 5pm when they headed off and I ordered lunch or was that dinner! Just after ordering Moses rang to see where I was. I explained I had tried several times to contact him then suggested he meet me here. It would take him about an hour to arrive so I had plenty of time to eat. I was paying my bill when he called again to say he had arrived. I was shocked when I was told I had to pay in US dollars! I had asked if I could use my card but they didn’t tell me it was going to be converted to US! I wasn’t impressed! The menu was in Ugandan shillings they then convert it to US dollars at an exuberant rate which of course puts the price up. I suggested in future they explain to their guest that if they pay by card it will be in US dollars at the hotel rate. Visitors will then be able to choose if they pay by card or in shillings.
Moses took me to a nearby backpackers where we met an English lady who had left 
Kampala to be away from the unrest. We were all frustrated by the fact that the government had blocked social media since Wednesday. She had downloaded an app that circumnavigated this block. She explained that one of the candidates had tweeted the app days before. Both Moses and I downloaded the app but when it came to using it we were told there were too many uses! grrrrrr!
I wasn’t sure how much news of what was happening in Kampala, had reached the outside world or if people were concerned with the lack of communication from me. That night I realised I was still able to use Viber! This may be because Viber is not used much outside of Australia. I didn’t feel so isolated or cut off now and I could get word out that I was ok.
Up again early to pack I had all my bags ready then rang Carlos and explained that I had been asked to leave my room by 10am and if it was possible to leave my bags in the back of his car while we were on the lake. He had no objections and also offered to take me to the airport before my flight. Thanking my hosts for their generosity I left with Andrew and Carlos who suggested I store my bags at his home before we went on the boat. It was here I met Carlos’ wife Madrine and her sister.
We had a lovely day on the other side of the lake. Carlos owned land and a small house which was rented out to a local couple who cared for the land. We walked from here through the gardens to an area which, in its heyday, had been a small resort with bar and restaurant area and was now very run down but still serving drinks although at room temperature. We sat at a table eating our small picnic lunch of samosas, sandwiches and peanuts (from my airport snacks) while enjoying the natural surroundings and watching the planes flying overhead towards the airport on the other side.
Back at Carlo’s home I showered and changed into my travel cloths before Andrew 
took Carlos and I out for a meal before dropping me at the airport. It was a lovely spot which overlooked the lake with a view of the airport with planes ascending and descending. The meal was lovely too. We all had curried fish. Moses had wanted to see me off but due to the increase of military presence in Entebbe, we decided it was best for him to stay indoors.
One of my fears and anxieties I am believing to overcome is the fear of missing my flight, train, connection or anything like this that has a cut-off time. Maybe this is why I always like to be early for appointments too although I also think it’s also because I don’t like to hold other people up or to be kept waiting myself. Mind you I’ve learn to relax more since traveling in Asia and Africa where waiting for people seems to be a pastime. It may also be because I’ve also not been in a hurry either.
By eight o’clock I was at the airport well ahead of time so I can relax. It wasn’t very pleasant for although the evening was cool inside the airport where I was waiting was hot without air conditioning. We were unable to go through to the air conditioned area till we had gone through check out which was only open three hours before the flight. I had also given my SIM card to Carlos to give to Luke as there was over 2GB of data left but fortunately I was able to pick up a weak wifi signal which enabled me to go online even though social media was still off and didn’t come on till early Saturday morning.
I finally went through check in, then another wait till we boarded the Ethiopian airlines on route to South Africa via Ethiopia. The funny thing was my original ticket had a stopover where I needed to change flights in both Kigali and Addis Ababa. I had receive an email with changes to my flight which meant I only needed to change flights at Addis Ababa. But unbeknown to me the flight I was on still stopped at Kigali and because I had dosed off, being 2am in the morning, I disembarked with the other passengers thinking there was only one stop and everyone was disembarking here. When I entered the terminal I asked where to go for my next flight which was at 8:55am. They asked if I wanted to leave the terminal or wait in the departure lounge. I said the lounge and was directed back out onto the tarmac and in at another door. It all seemed a bit strange but I trusted they knew what they were doing. Then one attendant started getting in a flap saying quickly come this way, I was supposed to have stayed on the plane I had just gotten off. Opps! One guy wanted to check my passport but she explained what had happened and he still insisted to see my passport which I passed over and was then escorted back onto the bus to take me to the plane with the rest of the passengers who were also going to Addis Ababa. The airhostesses looked very surprised to see me coming back. I smiled and said ‘sorry wrong stop’, they laughed.
Of course after this I couldn’t sleep so watched half a movie which fortunately was on the menu of the next flight so I was able to finish the second half of the story on route to SA from Addis Ababa. The Addis Ababa stop was much longer. I found a comfortable sleeping bench, one of many and must have dosed off. When I woke I thought I had better check I was in the right area as often departure gates are changed. It was good I did as it had changed. I found another lounge and settled down to watch the monitor. This area filled up very quickly with people boarding flights. So after my arrival the monitor I had been watching no longer showed the gate and flight numbers so once again I looked for an attendant to ask. This time they suggested I go through the check in desk and wait at gate 4. I think I must have been through the baggage scanners five times since Entebbe. This time I even had to take my shoes off!
While waiting I chatted to a South African who was returning home after a holiday in the north of Africa. He was saying he was unable to go outside of Africa except for Asia as the rand was so low. It had fallen again since I had left in December.
At last, the last leg of my journey but even then I was unable to sleep. We arrived just after 1pm, I hadn’t really slept since Thursday night, I was tired but glad to have landed and even more pleasantly surprised to see Josua and Alika waiting for me as I came through the arrival gates. Marenè had emailed me to say they would be at athletics with the kids and would arrange for a friend to pick me up. It was lovely seeing familiar faces. On route home we picked up some more data for my South African SIM so I could let people know I had arrived safely. It was such a blessing to be with my Afrikaans family again.
Throughout these last days in Uganda I had the peace of the Lord. My usual anxieties were silenced as I kept my focus on His presence and reassurance that all things worked together for good and that He is more than able to get me safely to my destination in His perfect timing. He is able to prompt me to check times, gate numbers and even direct me back to the waiting plane I had mistakenly disembarked. I am in His capable hands, all I need to do rest in the knowledge that He is more than able and willing to provide everything and in doubting His ability and willingness is an indictment and a huge insult to His Love. (Rom 8:32 ‘He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?’)
Photos: 1. My room at the guesthouse Entebbe 2. Newhaven Guesthouse 3. Shaban, me and Moses on Aero Beach 4. Carlos arranging a boat 5. Andrew, Carlos and his boys 6. William complaining about the grasses scratching his legs as we walked through the gardens 7. Picnic lunch under the flight path 8. View from restaurant before leaving 9. Flying over Addis Ababa .
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for all that He has done during my time in Uganda. For the new friends, family and connections that were made. For His continuing faithfulness, protection and provision for the time I was there and even now in South Africa. I have truly been spoilt these past months.
Praise the Lord for the relatively peaceful elections in Uganda.
Praise Him for all the work that is going on throughout Uganda and those who have dedicated their lives to see His Word and work continue.
Please continue to pray for sponsors for the children being helped through Operation Uganda and for all the work at Wakisa Ministries.
Please consider also supporting the Wakisa Ministries birthing centre/clinic which God willing will be built this year. Donations can be sent through World Share.
Please continue to praise Him for His protection, provision and my general good health.
Please pray that the remainder of my time in S. Africa will be without incident and I will have a safe journey back to Australia on the 27-29th February.
Praise the Lord for answered prayer re house sitting on my return to Perth. Jane, a friend of my mother, is going away in April and May. She lives within walking distance from mum which is wonderful.
Mum has recently adopted a 3yr old dog, please pray that this new member of the family will settle into her new home quickly. Please continue to pray for her physical health especially for her memory.