Journey Impressions: Kampala

Kampala: approx. 1.48 m inhabitants (2009)
Uganda: approx. 31.6 m inhabitants
Population growth (2008): 3.2%
People per km²: 131
Gross national income per person in 2008 PPP: 1,140 USD


10.11.2010 Kampala: James Kotzsch from the German Foundation for World Population (DSW) and his chauffeur picked us up at 9.00 a.m. from Hotel Sheraton. First of all we drove through the city. Kampala is very spread out, with a chaotic traffic system. You had to admire our chauffeur winding his way through the mess without causing an accident.

We were en route to Nabingo to the primary school to meet the head teacher and media representatives there. At about 10 a.m., after a long journey through the suburbs of Kampala, we reached the school. The head teacher welcomed us. James had deliberately made sure that no major reception committee was waiting for us. The idea was that it should be a normal school day. We spent a long time talking to the head teacher Katagaazi Lawrence. He told us about his school with more than 800 pupils and the excellent co-operation with DSW as regards sex education and family planning. After visiting several school classes, where we had a lively discussion about lesson content - particularly maths and English, we were asked what was needed to become a pilot. We summed up our whole journey to the members of the press and recalled the impressions we had had until then of Uganda.

At 12 p.m. we headed off for the DSW office and Lubowa training centre. This training centre is on a large plot of land with several buildings. Young people are trained here, who in turn train other young people and can convey their expertise. At about 1.15 p.m. we went to the small DSW kitchen and had lunch there. Afterwards we watched in a large practice room how older youth about 16 to 20 years of age were being given further training.

In the afternoon with had a meeting with the German ambassador, Klaus Dieter Düxmann. The meeting with the ambassador took an hour and was very interesting and enlightening. He illustrated the political background of Germany's work in Uganda and the conflicts in the country.

On the way back from the German embassy, we meandered through Kampala's evening traffic. We saw exciting things on the street, did some people watching and took in a number of interesting impressions.

12.11.2010 Kampala: This time, James picked us up from the hotel at 8.00 a.m. already. We wanted to go to Buwenge, a place 70 km away. We wanted to visit a health centre there. This health centre works together with the DSW youth clubs. Buwenge is situated about 20 km away from Jinja. After visiting the little health centre, equipped with microscopes, ultra sound and a small operating theatre, we talked to young people from various youth clubs. James repeatedly tried to encourage the young people to tell us about their successes and their problems. In particular, they reported that thanks to the co-operation with DSW their position in the school had improved because their authority and recognition had risen and that today other young people trust them more and have greater faith in their abilities. Teachers and parents also welcome young people's involvement in clubs. A girl put forward a special request. She thought it would be good if DSW also supported TV programmes or a TV project. Then even more young people could be reached as regards sex education and family planning.

Other requests were also made, for example to support hosting concerts and other events more strongly. Then the message would be put across to even more young people.

All in all, we had extremely stimulating discussions. We were also very impressed with the confidence shown by the young girls and boys and of course by the advisor who works very closely with these young people. She was such a bundle of energy that we called her 'the red rocket'. She thought this moniker was highly amusing.

On the return journey to Kampala, we visited the source of the Nile and the accompanying waterfall called Bujagali Falls. Following about a one-hour drive during Kampala's rush hour, we reached our hotel. Afterwards we prepared for the flight the next day to International Kilimanjaro.