Diary of a Muzungu | Uganda travel blog

A wedding fit for a King

the muzungu — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:44:34 +0000

There was an explosion of noise as the Kabaka arrived for Prince David Wasajja’s wedding at Rubaga Cathedral, Kampala. It’s not every day (week / month / lifetime) that you get an invitation to a Royal Wedding, so what’s a girl to say? I was delighted, honoured (and excited!) to receive an invitation to attend [...]

No hurry in Africa – bus Kampala to Kigali

the muzungu — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:00:05 +0000

No hurry in Africa: on board the bus Kampala to Kigali I didn’t understand much but the salesman’s words: “Tsunami in the vagina” and aggressive pelvic thrusting into the bus seat next to him somehow caught my attention. This guy should have been on the stage: the traveling salesman who literally travels as he travels, [...]

Bang! goes my day

the muzungu — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:16:01 +0000

Woke in the night to a BANG and a pop, pop, pop, pop, pop. The outside lights flickered off, on, off, on ….. off. Heavy rain had preceded this latest burnout, apparently the fault of our neighbour who is tapping directly into the overhead power cable. Great, how many days before we get power back? [...]

The changing face of Kampala slums

the muzungu — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 19:31:01 +0000

I love Namuwongo, it’s where I first fell in love with Uganda but I’m sure many Ugandans would shudder hearing that. Like many other Kampala slums, Namuwongo slums have a history: they were a no-go area for many years. It’s no des res (desirable residential) address, that’s for sure, but things are changing. Clinging to the railway [...]

And there goes my wall – weather in Uganda

the muzungu — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 18:38:14 +0000

Rain… rain… rain… weather in Uganda - eh! You’re disorganising me! Rain stopped work. Rain stopped play. Rain stopped John our askari going home – until two hours before he was due back here for the night shift. Rain meant that seven people were cooped up in our little house (my office!) while I’d planned to [...]

Bandas, huts, hostels. Where to stay in Kampala?

the muzungu — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:40:00 +0000

Bandas, huts and hostels – where to stay in Uganda? Living in Kampala As soon as I stepped off the plane, I fell in love with Uganda. I just knew I was going to be happy in Kampala. Being a volunteer in a developing country has been a fascinating experience and some day I’ll write [...]

The Muzungu’s Best of 2012!

the muzungu — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:34:44 +0000

Uganda has tested me in many ways and 2012 was ‘challenging’ as we say around here – but I’m still here ‘living the dream’ – the lucky muzungu did all this! 2012 ended on a real high, literally – waking up on Christmas Day in a treehouse overlooking Kibale Forest to the sound of chimpanzees [...]

The Kingfisher and I

the muzungu — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 09:38:01 +0000

I love this time of day, walking with the dogs before the sun goes down. There’s something in the air tonight. A pair of African Grey parrots fly overhead, squawking all the way to their roost in the big tree behind us. The Ibis congregate on the highest roof, cackling as I approach with De [...]

Are muzungus all rich?

the muzungu — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 08:33:22 +0000

Being a Muzungu (having a white skin) defines me as rich, or so the Rollex man tells me: “For us we know you are rich.” Let’s talk English semantics here: when he says he knows I’m rich, he could also mean he believes I am rich. Are school fees due? I don’t think so. Nonetheless, [...]

Driving in Kampala – not for the nervous

Mark Penhallow — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:16:03 +0000

Driving in Kampala? Then you’ll need to read this first! Welcome to Diary of a Muzungu! This week’s guest post is by Mark Penhallow. Mark has been working in the roads sector in Uganda since 2001 and has recently returned to the UK after 2 years based in Kampala. Mark writes: Ugandans are generally friendly, intelligent [...]