Elections

In February 2011 the Presidency elections will be taking place in Uganda.  At the moment President Museveni leads the country and for the most part, the country is at peace.  Now the President will attempt to be re-elected.  He stands against a further six opponents.  According to the locals, the current president is likely to stay in power, and there is only one real 'threat' to him being over powered by another man. 
Even so, all party candidates are 'in it to win it' and are out on the streets with their campaign teams to try and win votes!  In fact they are causing utter chaos.  The rallies can be up to six vehicles long.  Campaigners are hanging out of car windows, sunroofs, are four strong on bikes, waving leaves and blowing hooters.  There are loud speakers on trucks and the candidates are proudly standing in vehicles, waving to the masses!  Everyone seemed to take to the streets.  We kept the camera close by in the hope of seeing Museveni on his campaign.  I think we saw every other candidate, but no sign of Museveni.

It's really odd to think that we are only in November and already the rallies are taking such a high profile in the streets.  You can see the excitement in the eyes of the campaigners.  They are so commited to their candidates.  At the moment it all seems quite light hearted fun, with each candidate trying to out-do the other, with a bigger banner, a louder rally, more followers.  What is worrying is when you realise how passionately these campaigners want their candidate to win and the excitement could so easily turn into violence.  We heard yesterday from our driver, that nearer the elections, the army take to the streets.  So even when Uganda states 'every person has a vote', on times people are too fearful to actually go and cast their votes.  It becomes a very tense time for everyone living here or visiting.  The country needs a lot of prayers to remain in a peaceful state during this election period. 

Arrive as strangers.....leave as friends!

We are staying at a quaint little guest house.  It is remarkably clean and tidy.  The staff are so friendly and you really are treated as one of the family.

The place is so quiet and peaceful, but today, it was all systems go as they prepared for a party.  The transformation of the gardens, that took place within two hours, was incredible.  Everyone had their own part to play and soon the place was a dream party venue.

Now I'm guessing, like us, you're thinking it's all ready for a wedding???  But no!  All this effort and expense is for a graduation party!  I feel like I missed out in the UK!  Ugandan's certianly know how to party!!!

 The Graduate!  She was so sweet as brought some of her graduation cake in for us to share with her.  (In return for a photo with the white people!)

 With her fellow graduate friends.  (Another photo opportunity with the white people!)

 And as we type this, the party is thriving, the drinks are flowing and the friends and family are all up dancing!  They even have their very own DJ! 

Unbelievable!!!

We kind of realised that in Uganda there is only one pace........SLOW!
You don't expect this to affect the courts though, but after today we realise it certainly does!
The solicitor just phoned to say the Judge is yet to make a decision.  He hasn't got my file as it is with a 'researcher'!  Guess they need to check out everything is legitimate, but you'd think this would have been completed in the run up to the hearing and not after!?!?!?!
So the Judge has told the solicitor that he can go back on Monday at 11am (8am UK time).  The solicitor doesn't think this will be for a hearing, as only then the Judge will have my file back, with additional information from the researcher.  He thinks this appoinment will be to allocate another hearing date!  Sounds mad!
We've decided to go along on Monday too in an attempt to hurry the Judge into making a decision!  Last time we weren't allowed to speak in the court room, but we're going to ask how can we speak this time, if we feel a need too.  We've come too far to be bluffed off at the last hurdle!
We're staying pro-active and are about to go into the city to visit the VISA office.  I can fill in the VISA application form ready so that if we get a YES!  Then we can go straight and make an appointment to get that sorted!
So on with the waiting game!!!!

One more sleep!

Today is the day before we hear the court's ruling.  I'm sure all the prayers coming my way have made this week fly by.  It doesn't seem like a week today we were preparing to go to court.  Let's hope this time tomorrow, we'll be tucking up a special little girl in her very own bed. 
So today we were able to spend the afternoon with Lutaaya Deborah.  We took reading books, educational books and a game of connect 4.  She thrives on this individual attention.  We took her little rucksack (which sadly broke - Argos you need to make the straps better quality!) and she loved it!  Her very own pencils and pens.  She is so neat and tidy and when something is finished with, it quickly goes back in the bag.  She likes her things to be kept smart.

And yep we treated her to her favourite sausage and chips.  Even had some added laughter when I showed her how she could make a smiley face out of the tomatoe sauce!

During the afternoon it bucketed down.  Proper Ugandan torential rain!  The temperature did drop a little and we needed to pop our coats on to not only avooid drippers but keep us a little warmer.  We had a bit of a reality check though, because if we get her tomorrow (which we hope and pray we will!)  she's going to find Wales freezing!!!  She zipped her coat right up and put her hood up, as tight as it would go, to try and retain the heat, and she still shivered!  Bless her!

One for the boys!

Driving into Kampala last night for some tea and the traffic was horrendous.  Then it was a quick dash to get the camera out.

The kids at Young Fire Fighters often complain our engine is old, but can you imagine this turning up if your house was on fire!!!  the mind boggles!

Thanks Mike!

Mike Midgley, a good friend, who I have travelled to Uganda many times with, recommended a very Westernised coffee shop to us while we stay at the guest house.  Today has turned into a lazy day off for us so we went for a wander, on Mike's directions, to find this coffee shop.
Bare in mind this is our second attempt at finding it, as we went the wrong way two days ago, but managed to find somewhere that sold pizzas and ice cream!
So off we go on our little trek.  Finally ending up in a dead end with a garage full of men, all of whom wanted to be greeted by the muzungus! (White people)!
So back up the hill we go, to find a security guard at the American Embassy, to see if he knew the way.  Thankfully he knew the place and so our journey began.  Down through some little streets and onto the main road.  The walk was well worth it and we were very thankful for Mike telling us about it!  We treated ourselves to a cake and hot drink! Mmmmmmmm! 
We were kind of envious to friends who went to a chapel's lunch club yesterday and ate cake without us!  But today we had a result!  Sooooo Yummy!  What a treat!

Goodbyes and Hellos

In a guest house like we are staying at, there is a constant stream of people in and out.  The guest house tends to be used a lot by Americans.  On arriving we met Deb and her family.  Deb had an adoption granted on a  gorgeous baby girl, Leah Grace, and was waiting for the VISA to come through to take Leah home.  Deb's Mom, who we all know affectionately as 'Grandma' and son, Seth were at the guest house too.  They are a delightful family.  Yesterday, after a long wait, the VISA arrived and they changed ther flights to go home early.  So last night we said our goodbyes to Deb, Grandma, Seth and Leah as they head home to the U.S.  We wish them the very best in meeting their family when they arrive back, who we hear are all going to be at the airport to meet their new arrival!  They also have an amazing family holiday to look forward too in two weeks time, where the whole family go to Florida.  So this one little girl is about to take part in the biggest and best adventure of her life.  She finally has her forever family.

With one goodbye, we've said several more hellos.  A young lady from Washington, joined us a few days ago.  She's doing some really interesting research on people and child trafficking.  Another group from a church near Seattle joined us tonight too.  They are just passing through as their final destination is Sudan.  They have been amazing company in the short time we've known them.

Food Glorious Food

When Mam said she was coming to Uganda with me, everyone became concerned with what she would eat?!  So, just in case food was an issue, we packed 10 mug shots as emergency rations!  Still people doubted that this was in no way near enough to feed Mam for three whole weeks!
But we have success.  I can inform everyone, the mug shots are still in the case, untouched.
We have had no concerns about food so far, and are eating well.  You can see for yourself the choice we have if we travel into the city.

It's a cat's life

Anyone who knows me knows I love my cats.  It was wonderful to see that our hotel has a mama cat with four of the cutest little kitty cat babies ever.  They are adorable.

Mama cat has realised that guests at the hotel are friendly and she comes in every morning for her breakfast.  Any bits of egg are gratefully received and then off out she goes to feed her babies.  Unfortunately the staff at the guest house don't seem to have the affection for cats as the guests and should Mama cat be found under the table, staff will scream and then hit out at it with anything from their slipper to a fork!!!  It's quite a comedy act.
But today, as we sat waiting for a friend to arrive, Mama cat decided to join us.  She took it upon herself to show everyone who's boss of the house and that it really is a cat's life!

Mother's Union

Mother's Union do a lot of good work both at home and abroad.  I have always passed a Mother's Union sign when in Uganda but never had chance to stop and see what they do.  So today was opportunity to do just that!
We stopped at Namirembe Mother's Union, just outside Namirembe Cathedral.  The ladies there were so happy and helpful.  (Anita - you'd love it there, but would want to give them a push on the sales front!!!)  We learned that they have their own day care and kindergarten, a small gift shop and a little cafe serving the local community.

The empty train track

Every day when we go into the city from our guest house, we cross over a train track.  Everyone carries on as if it isn't there!  It starts to make you think that it must be an old line that is now out of use.  But then.........the stop sign is lifted down by a man who quickly runs out of the factory to stop the traffic as the train comes through.  Thankfully in Uganda there are no super speedy inter-city links, just a rather old steam engine plodding along.

Families not institutions

Visiting a children's home can be a wonderful experience.  It's amazing to be able to sit with the children on an individual basis and there are always cuddles galore.  On the outside, the kids seem happy enough.  Full of smiles and giggles.  It's when we look deeper into the personalities and lives of the children that you realise how damaging institutionalised settings are for children.  Save the children have carried out a lot of research into this, check out their website for all the facts and figures.  The maddening part is we seem to get a lot out of supporting orphanages.  We tend to forget these kids need families who are solely reponsible for their each and every need.  Parents who show these kids love, affction and attention.  Who know them inside out.  We tend to forget that children, here in Africa, are the same as the kids we see and know in the UK.  They have the same needs.  The same wants.  The same dreams.  The same desires.  And yet we continue to shut them away in these institutions and accept that this is 'right' and 'normal'.  We cannot deny these children the right to a family, so why do we continue to support charities that promote orphanages?
So look at these kids, all ordinary on the outside, but imagine what's going on on the inside!