We were invited to go to court again today to have the hearing on the adoption case. We were up early and booked the taxi for 10am. The solicitor said we didn't need to take Lutaaya Deborah today so we literally had to just take a car ride into the city. This could take 15 minutes if it's quiet, but in Kampala you are rarely from a traffic jam. Jams here are everywhere and they cause so much delay. So a 15 minute journey can take up to an hour. Booking the taxi for 10am and needing to be in court for 11am, plenty of time you would think.
So we waited for our taxi to arrive. Henry, our regular driver, is so reliable and trustworthy and du to us using him all the time, he gives us very reasonable rates. We waited and waited for Henry, and there was no show. Then the phone rings. Henry - saying he had the times mixed up and thought we needed him at 11am!!! NO! So can he come now and take us? ARGH - he's 30 minutes away!
So on to find another taxi. All our contacts were busy and the guest house 'mother' had broken her phone with her other numbers in. You can tell already this day had nothing going in the right direction.
So out we go, walking to see if we can find a taxi. There is a hospital not far from the guest house, although the walk seemed longer than it does when you pass it in the car, and there are often specials parked up there. So out trekking we go. And the heavens opened. So on with the macs and off to search for a taxi.
As we reach the main road, someone shouts, 'Natasha'. I look to find out who knows me, and it is the man who brought us from the airport, Christopher. 'Why are you walking? Aren't you meant to be at court?' I have never been so glad to see someone as I was to see Christopher. He quickly whisked us off to the court.
So we're there! The solicitor ringing to find out where we are as we run from the car to the building. On our way, on our way.
You couldn't make this story up if you tried. In the court building you have to go to the 3rd floor for the family courts. So quick jump in the lift and up we go......or so you'd think. Power cut! Me and Mam stuck in the lift in the pitch black! There is no alarm button and no one notices we are stuck! Literally only 2 minutes and the power kicks back in but it felt like forever. Not trusting the lift any more, we take the stairs.
Finally make it to the floor we need and the police stop us for the routine bag search. Normally this is a quick unzip and feel around, but no, not today. The police officer does a full search of everything.
Eveentually I swing around the court waiting room door, completely out of breath, heart pumping, to see that Isaac, the solicitor is still waiting, as the Judge is on the phone!
Unbelievably, the Judge then decides he won't see any of us, not even the solicitor, and sends a message out with the Clerk saying he will make a decision later today. So all that madness for nothing.
So we spent the day at the home. Waiting for the phone to ring with the Judge's decision. Nothing! Until the journey home. And there it hits us. The Judge said NO! Total disappointment. A total loss of all hope. All becaus I am only 20 years older than Lutaaya Deborah and Ugandan law states there has to be 21 years difference.
An emotional rollercoaster to say the least. So many tears. So much heartbreak. A night of tears, but a glimmer of hope. The Judge has offered legal guardianship. It's basically meaning the same thing but means I'll leaglly adopt her in the UK in a few months time. Not sure it will work or can work but it's a glimmer of hope we didn't have earlier today.
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