African Insights Ezine - July 2006

Uganda – Gifted by Nature?

For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for profusion of brilliant life -- bird, insect, reptile, and beast -- for vast scale -- Uganda is truly "the Pearl of Africa."

The Kingdom of Uganda is a fairy tale. The scenery is different, the climate is different and most of all, the people are different from anything elsewhere to be seen in the whole range of Africa....what message I bring back....concentrate on Uganda. Winston Churchill (My African Journey - 1908)

Now, almost 100 years later, Uganda’s new tourism slogan is “Uganda--Gifted by Nature.”  A lot of money is being spent raising the awareness of people around the world regarding Uganda as a place its exotic flora and fauna, amidst its most precious “commodity”—Uganda’s 26 million people and according their government, Africa’s friendliest.

It seems Winston Churchill had a similar impression.  At one time Uganda was a delight to visit.  Thousands came to visit, but then came those times after independence when the “Pearl of Africa,” lost its luster, when soldier went amok in the game parks and shot whatever they encountered for meat and for ivory.  Uganda’s unique and varied animal life that had been so prolific became decimated. 

Until the 1960’s Uganda was a premier destination for tourists wanting to experience Africa.  Uganda’s leaders such as Idi Amin were more concerned about the accumulation of personal power than with protecting the more than a thousand species of birds, the greatest variety of primates – from the majestic mountain gorillas to the chimpanzees, baboons and a variety of others, from elephants to the lions once much sought after.  Yes, the world avoided Uganda, avoided visiting the country and tourism came to standstill until the late 80’s and now in 2006 the sights of visitors from abroad with cameras and fancy equipment in hand can be found all over from the Nile to Queen Elizabeth Park.

Indeed, Uganda is truly gifted by nature, you can sit along the river Nile, explore its source in one of the largest lakes in the world--Lake Victoria; a lake so large that it affects the weather patterns of several nations that surround it.  The Rwenzori mountain range filled with glaciers, plant life, and lakes, with an appearance so different that they used to be referred to the “Mountains of the Moon”.

We cannot forget Uganda’s beautiful Parks, where you can find some of the finest white water rafting on the river Nile.  Though wildlife that has come back from almost total destruction from the war years, there is yet another unique Ugandan treasure that most tourist brochures leave out, her people.  The 26 million inhabitants people of Uganda, the 26 million, considered by some to be the friendliest people in all of Africa.

One of the charming traits I have found African people is the simple fact that life is relational. Ugandans are just that, relational, one simply does not meet a stranger in Uganda--as you sit in a restaurant, go to café, get your hair trimmed, by the time you leave, you will feel as if you are leaving family!  My favorite words when visiting home or office, you will always be greeted with, “you are most welcome”.

It would be sad for someone to visit Uganda, see the gorillas, discover the chimpanzees, search out the mighty lions, lie on the beaches of Lake Victoria, stay within the confines of your hotel and miss what I have found to be the greatest resource that Uganda has to offer--her people!

Although the slogan may be “Uganda - gifted by Nature”, I believe Uganda’s people are its “greatest gift of nature”-- people shaped by life, through trials as by fire, and suffering that for the most part, caused them to appreciate one another. All many had was each other, family, friends. Ugandans know one cannot take tomorrow or each other for granted…they have felt the sting of wars that came and went, seemingly going on forever, and yet always they hoped for a “new day” for their beloved country.

That “new day” is here and today you can the experience the time of your life visiting Uganda, meeting its people, experiencing its animals and the astounding beauty of its natural wonder.  Uganda is polishing “the pearl” that Winston Churchill wrote about.  Indeed, Uganda is gifted by Nature, and yet, most Ugandans would tell you that Someone Else had something to do with this…as most Ugandans feel deeply in touch with the creator of their world…and their lives…jon

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