Greetings from Kampala, Uganda

[MercFan]

Howdy Mercedes fans!

Greetings from Uganda - the Perl of Africa. I am here with a friend who is adopting a couple of children from one of the orphanages here.

This is my 2nd time in Africa (I've been to Egypt before 2 yrs ago) and my first time here in Uganda - Kampala, the capital city. Here are some impressions from this country for those who may want to visit one day:

o The roads are not in good condition they are full of pot holes and muddy in spots, even in the city itself

o The traffic can be overwhelming with vehicles, vans, buses, motor cycles, tons of pedestrians, heavy trucks and even military vehicles

o The country is very poor but its people are very, very friendly - they have easy smiles and are very friendly to all foreigners (especially Americans)

o The host family that we are staying with are extremely hospitable and kind to us - they share with us their food, their drink, their lives and even some of the problems that they have in their everyday lives

o There are many languages here but the dominant one here is Luganda language. It helps to know few of the local phrases - they help endear you to the local folks - who really love their culture and appreciate the effort - they will help you with pronunciation and usage of it and they will be very impressed that you know 'something' in their language. Here is a useful link: http://kabiza.com/kabiza-wilderness-safaris/blog/luganda-phrases/

o There are few Mercedes G Wagens that are running around here - they are the symbol of wealth around here (along with the big Range Rovers and Land Rovers) - everything big here means one thing: money

o There are many Mercedes heavy trucks - they have very good reputation

o There are more motorcycles for hire (boda boda) that I have ever seen anywhere else...

o It is not a good idea to photograph an Embassy compound, even if it's your own country... they are not very sympathetic... ask me how I know.

o It is illegal to smoke in public here - you could go to prison for it!

o Men are more dominant in this culture - it is not uncommon for females to kneel in front of male visitors as a sign of honoring you as male guests - something we need to accept as a long running local custom (I have personally witnessed it during a wedding ceremony)


Thx and take care all,
James

[kerry]

One of the US's biggest exports to Uganda is fundamentalist religion. Now that you describe the male dominated culture it makes sense. It also makes sense that they accepted the proposals of the US based group The Family to legislate anti-homosexual laws which required the death penalty for gays and life in prison for people who failed to inform on gay people they knew.
What are people's thoughts about Idi Amin nowadays?