The Authoritative Account of my [DrJSM] African *Academic* Adventures: 10/13/25

Meeting with the International Relations Office at Makerere University, Betty Nabisubi

We had a very productive meeting with an administrator from the Makerere University International Relations Office (IRO) -- Betty Nabisubi.

She gave me an orientation to Makerere University, sharing more about the university as well as the services provided by the IRO under the leadership of Director Matthias Ssemanda.

Internationalization of the curriculum is one of the university's 2020-2030 Strategic Planning goals -- so the initiatives of the Center for the Study of the United States will dovetail with university and IRO mission.

First up -- I will lead a Faculty Development Workshop about integrating Virtual Global Exchange (VGE) into the curriculum. We are looking forward to partnering with Betty to engage faculty who are interested in internationalizing their courses by partnering with faculty/course in the US. Stay tuned for more updates on this blog ...

For more about the IRO, see https://mak.ac.ug/about/advancement-international-office

Prof Kaweesi, Prof McLauchlan, and Ms. Nabisubi

White Sand Beach

On the drive back from the chimpanzees, we passed a sign that said White Sand Beach. Well, friends, you know I always gravitate towards the beach! And fortunately he stopped for me. I paid the 10,000 UGX entrance fee so I could visit. This beach is on Lake Victoria- the largest lake in Africa and 2nd largest freshwater lake in the world.

Jane Goodall - My Life with the Chimpanzees

Before visiting with the chimpanzees at the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary ( https://ngambaisland.org/) I wanted to read Jane Goodall's My Life with Chimpanzees. I bought a used copy on eBay and intended to read it on one of the 3 planes that it took to travel from Tampa to Entebbe. Sadly, Jane Goodall died the day I set out on my journey to Uganda.

I very much enjoyed reading about her childhood - and how literature (like Dr Doolittle, Tarzan, The Jungle Book) kindled her passion for becoming an ethologist. "I wanted to learn things that no one else knew, uncover secrets through patient observation. I wanted to come as close to talking with animals as I could, to be like Dr. Doolittle. I wanted to move among them without fear, like Tarzan."

I loved reading about her persistence and perseverance - and how she came to be a researcher with Louis Leakey. About her observations of the chimpanzees and scientific research. And how passionate she was about sharing her research with the general public as well.

This edition that I was reading was geared towards young people - and what an inspiring message of hope! I actually did not know about Roots & Shoots (!) - and now I need to find out if there are chapters in the Tampa Bay area.

I could not agree more with her message that each of us must realize that we can each make a difference - that we must seek to make a positive difference in our communities.

I have since bought more of her books on eBay that have been shipped to my home in Florida. So I will be able to continue learning from Jane Goodall after I return home from Africa. (And I hope my daughter will read My Life with Chimpanzees over winter break. All young people should!)

finished reading the book on the boat ride over to the island sanctuary

Visiting the Chimpanzees at the Ngamba Island Sanctuary

Sunday Funday: I enjoyed an excursion to the Ngamba Island Sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees. (The sanctuary is on an island because chimps don't swim - and they won't be able to escape.)

During the intro briefing on the work of the sanctuary, I noticed the Disney Conservation Fund logo on the informational posters. I was so excited! Not sure on how many visits to Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom that I have made a small donation to the Fund. And now - here I was - in one of the sanctuaries where the donations are making a difference!

I had the opportunity to feed the chimps -- by throwing fruit over the eclectic fence. Wow! They could just reach up and catch the fruit with one hand.

I was so inspired by the work at the sanctuary that I "adopted" a chimpanzee born in 2001 for my husband in honor of our 24th wedding anniversary (which I missed celebrating in person while on assignment in Uganda).

I finished Jane Goodall’s book My Life with Chimpanzees on the boat ride over to the island. She was actually slated to visit the sanctuary in just a few weeks/November. They already had on display a beautiful tribute as well as a memory book that one could sign.

You can learn more about the Ngamba Island Sanctuary here: https://ngambaisland.org/