Uganda
20 February 2016
Home to Bill for a while when he was younger, Uganda provided a different face of Africa. The equatorial climate a welcome warmth after the chillier nights in Simons Town (at least for some of us). The Entebbe Sailing Club warmly welcomed the old boy and a Laser sail reminded him how vast the bay seemed as a child. Lake Victoria Hotel had also changed (not entirely unexpected in over 40 years) but still retained much of its character. One home had disappeared but the location was easy to spot by the huge cannon still residing near the mango tree, in what was the garden. The Fisheries Training Institute that Bill’s dad set up was still there but off limits for visitors unfortunately.
The Presidential election campaign was in full swing with supporters driving carnival style trucks through dusty roads. The televised question/answer debate highlighted the different approaches of the potential candidates although concerns about potential vote rigging were high. The incumbent president of 30 years still looked a likely winner despite the desire for change from many.