Kampala Day 2
Today we were picked up at the hotel by 2 CCA vehicles and drivers which took us on the short 3k drive to CCA head quarters here in downtown Kampala. We quickly realized that weekday traffic here is much different than weekend like most big cities. Bumper to bumper most of the way. It took about 20 minutes to do. On the topic of traffic in Kampala - its like a constant game of “chicken” is being played during the rush hours between the cars/trucks, motorcycles and pedestrians. All 3 come within inches of being hit (in all combinations) several times along the way. Never seen anything like it. Its first come first serve into any free space of pavement that becomes available. Traffic lights and signs seem to be no more than colourful streetscape decorations. I have to admit to doing a few “wince and turn my eyes away” kind of moves as we squeezed our way through the streets and to the office. Hundreds and hundreds of cars and motorbikes. The exhaust fumes are heavy. Like heavy to the point where you could say you can almost taste it. The traffic is so slow at times that it creates an excellent business opportunity for street entrepeneurs - who come right up to your window (like the squeegee kids under the Gardiner in Toronto) to sell you things like leather belts, newspapers and cell phone accesories.
When we arrived at the UCA (Uganda Cooperative Alliance) offices we were met by the General Secretary Leonard Msemakweli (head honcho) along with Rose Angeyango (Director of Micro Financing) and Prossy Tumushabe Bahilgwa (Project Coodinator). All three were in the meeting with us which ran from 9am to noon. Leonard took us through the history of the coopertaive movement in Uganda from the year it began in 1919 to the present day. Afterwards Rose and Prossy provided us with some specific information about the operations of the credit unions we will be visitting.
Must tell you about the “break”. We were served Ugandan tea, chocolate energy drink, instant coffee and bananas which were just a little bigger than the size of my thumbs. I had the Ugandan tea (excellent). The bananas here taste much different than back home. The texture is more dense and the taste is way more flavourful. Its hard to descibe. All I can tell you is I wolfed down 2 in a matter of seconds - they were so good.
The meeting wrapped up at about 11:45. It was annouced at that point that the drivers would be outside at 12:30 to take us all to lunch. We were taken to an authentic Ugandan food lunch buffet.
We were back at the hotel a couple hours later where we were given the rest of the afternoon off as free time. Another great day.
Tomorrow we go to work. More to come thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy these pics.
Charlie
When we arrived at the UCA (Uganda Cooperative Alliance) offices we were met by the General Secretary Leonard Msemakweli (head honcho) along with Rose Angeyango (Director of Micro Financing) and Prossy Tumushabe Bahilgwa (Project Coodinator). All three were in the meeting with us which ran from 9am to noon. Leonard took us through the history of the coopertaive movement in Uganda from the year it began in 1919 to the present day. Afterwards Rose and Prossy provided us with some specific information about the operations of the credit unions we will be visitting.
Must tell you about the “break”. We were served Ugandan tea, chocolate energy drink, instant coffee and bananas which were just a little bigger than the size of my thumbs. I had the Ugandan tea (excellent). The bananas here taste much different than back home. The texture is more dense and the taste is way more flavourful. Its hard to descibe. All I can tell you is I wolfed down 2 in a matter of seconds - they were so good.
The meeting wrapped up at about 11:45. It was annouced at that point that the drivers would be outside at 12:30 to take us all to lunch. We were taken to an authentic Ugandan food lunch buffet.
We were back at the hotel a couple hours later where we were given the rest of the afternoon off as free time. Another great day.
Tomorrow we go to work. More to come thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy these pics.
Charlie
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