Week Two - Cultural

It is hard to believe that I am entering my third week here in Kampala. As the week has past I have enjoyed delving deeper into the Ugandan culture. It is fascinating to learn about new aspects of their culture which, at times is very exciting but can also be overwhelming when comparing their different customs and way of life to that in Northern Ireland.

One aspect of Ugandan culture which I have been introduced to this week is ‘African’ time keeping and organisation. The Ugandans relaxed and casual attitude towards this aspect of their daily routine led to a frustrating week as myself and Ashleigh waited to receive our timetables. One lecturer suggested from his previous experiences hosting European student that “it takes the students a week to adjust to their timetables so just relax.” This laid back atmosphere greatly differs from the structured educational culture in Northern Ireland which emphasises the need to be organised in higher education in order to maintain an up to date knowledge of current teaching practices and sustain a culture of life long learning.

Our first day at Makerere University

With no academic programme available this week, Ashleigh and I took the opportunity to immerse ourselves further into the culture of Kampala. One way in which we have achieved this is through involvement in a street kids programme called Tomorrow’s heroes which has been set up by Kate from Bangor, Northern Ireland in association with Calvary Chapel Church. The programme takes place in an area of the slums near Makerere University, and it has been truly eye opening to see how these street children, along with many others live their lives below the poverty line in Uganda. Alice Muwanguzi, the resident district commissioner of Kampala says, “There is a tendency to think that all people in urban centres are very rich.” This is not the case in Kampala or many cities throughout the world. Indeed, even in Belfast, the current recession has highlighted the wide range of economic circumstances encounter by different people classes.

Some sights inside the slum

Peter (Parker) at Tomorrow's Heroes

The stark contrast between rich and poor can be clearly seen in the streets of Kampala. Some of those living in the city are considered well off and strive to enjoy luxurious western-style living conditions which they associate with ‘muzungus’(white people). It is strange to grasp that many Ugandans consider me (a white student from Northern Ireland) to be wealthy but, compared to many in Uganda, I am. When entering the slum on Sundays, it is obvious how privileged we are in Northern Ireland. According to Kampala City Council figures, 54% of the 1.5 million people in Kampala live in one – room houses. Many of the slums' residents have no access to safe water, adequate food, shelter, medical services and education. It is shocking to know and observe first hand people living this way. It makes me thankful for what I have been given but also more aware of the need of those suffering in urban poverty. I hope that in the coming weeks I will continue to discover the positive impact programmes such as Tomorrows Heroes is having on the lives of many of the children who are living in these conditions. Overall I am excited to further learn and live in this fascinating and diverse culture which I’m sure has and will influence me and my view on injustice in the world.