Uganda

I went to bed last night with the lights of Kampala spread out before me. My bedroom has floor to ceiling windows onto the balcony and an amazing view of the city from Kololo hill. This morning I awoke to the sound of parrots, macaws and monkey birds as well as the sounds which I associate with Kampala; a bustling busy city yet with cockerels crowing in backyards giving a distinctly rural touch.

We went to the Kampala International Church, Bugolobi; the first time I have been to a church recently where the average age was under 40 and the congregation numbered about 100. It is an offshoot of a larger church and the service was held outdoors in the grounds of the Ambrosoli International School. Wonderful singing led by an American guitarist and his Ugandan assistant, aged about 9 also on guitar, with a choir to lead the way. They made me feel very welcome and I really enjoyed the service. There were American, Dutch and English members of the congregation as well as Ugandans.

Travelling through the city I was struck again at the number of people walking about; every road has scores of people walking along often for miles and miles, and all looking very smart and well dressed. (Apparently Ugandans are well known for taking pride in their appearance.) On the roads too we saw many of the laden bicycles - drums of oil, tens of chickens, sometimes whole corner shops all balanced precariously around the cyclist.