CuriousKeds

From February 13 to 15, I took an extended weekend to visit my fellow students/friends who are doing internships in Kampala. It was a very fun and interesting experience. I stayed in their guesthouse, although the room was small (even for 2 people), they added an extra mattress for me as the third person to sleep on. Even that was a challenge because we had to move some stuff to make some space. But all in all, we managed!

Fortunately, I was able to arrange transportation to reach Kampala on Saturday the 13th. I traveled with the new Chief Executive Director and my mentor by car. It was a long journey to reach Kampala because of the potholes that took it 3 hours to Kamdini. But the next three hours the road is better.

After arriving that day, I was invited by my fellow student’s mentor to eat and drink some pork later. But unfortunately I arrived a little later than expected because of traffic on the road so I could not attend to eat pork. Instead, we arranged to meet at CJ’s, a popular café-restaurant, to have something small to drink and eat there. I was the first to arrive at CJ’s, so I waited there until the others arrived. It was nice to see my fellow students again!

The next day we visited the Gaddafi National Mosque, a mosque located on Kampala Hill in old Kampala. The mosque was completed in 2006 and officially opened in 2007. We had a guide who gave us historical explanations about the mosque. It was interesting to learn that this mosque is the headquarters of the Islamic faith in Uganda. It is also the headquarters of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, the organization that runs all Islamic affairs in Uganda. It is a two-story building, we went all the way to the top, where we could see the panorama of Kampala. Believe me, it was worth it!

Then we went to Cassia Lodge, a place to relax, swim, eat, drink etc. It is a nice place with beautiful surroundings. You can enjoy the view of the landscape. My two friends went swimming, I decided not to because I didn’t really feel like it. Instead, I relaxed with my laptop and worked on my research proposal. My friends also took their laptops to work on their research proposal after they swam.

The next day, I went shopping with my mentor before leaving for Lira. I wanted to buy stuff that I wouldn’t find in Lira and even stuff that could be found cheaper in Kampala. I had two big bags so I had to take an uber. It was impossible to take a Boda Boda (motorcycle). When I arrived in Lira I had arranged for someone to pick me up. So the driver from CCVS picked me up, this went smoother than I thought.