a visit to the doctor in Kampala: C-Care IMC Kololo

Prior to traveling to Uganda, I followed all of the US Center for Disease Contral (CDC) recommendations for travel - made sure I was up to date on the vaccines. (I was still current on Typhoid and Yellow Fever and polio and MMR boosters since my Zimbabwe trip last year). So this year I got pneumonia, flu, and meningitis vaccines. (There is a "meningitis belt" near my travel area.) I was angry that at the time I was getting my vaccines for this trip that it was not possible for me to get a Covid booster as well (after going to 3 pharmacy chains - all of which were awaiting the new booster shipment to arrive and/or awaiting guidance from HHS and from the state of Florida about who would be eligible for the booster). This year I got the vaccines at Wal-Mart.  Last year I had truly expert, helpful advice for the travel nurse for the trip to Zimbabwe from the Pinellas County Health Department (For more about our local international travel health resources, see https://pinellas.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/clinical-and-nutrition-services/immunizations/index.html)

In addition to the travel vaccines, I scheduled an appointment with my primary care physician (actually, my new primary care physician).  My doctor from our first 22 years in Florida retired, so this was an opportunity to meet my new doctor. My main objective was to secure the prescription for the malaria prophylaxis meds as well as a travel antibiotic. (One of the CDC recommendations was to travel with your own needle/suture kit, but we decided against that.) Last year I spent a lot of time reviewing and thinking about all the pros/cons/side effects/contraindications for the various kinds of malaria prophylaxis meds available.  This year I researched the malaria-resistant meds that should not be prescribed for Uganda.  Fortunately, the same malaria prophylaxis I had been prescribed for Zimbabwe worked for Uganda.  For this script - you start taking 2 days before travel - during travel - and 7 days after you return for 1x a day. (Thanks BayCare for taking good care of me in Florida!)

Also per the CDC recommendations, I brought quite a bit of over-the-counter meds as well (first aid kit, allergy meds, antidiarrheal, upset stomach, pain relievers, seasonal allergies, thermometer, etc.) - just to be sure that I had what I would need in the event of an emergency. (We lost everything in our medicine cabinets in the flooding of our home in Hurricane Helene last year - so I went ahead and bought all new supplies for this trip.)

For more about the CDC's recommendations for travel to Uganda see https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/uganda

In addition to the malaria meds, vaccines, and traveling with OTC meds, I also followed all the recommendations and protocols for avoiding bug bites - good deet bug spray that I applied morning and night, wearing only long sleeves and long pants, sprayed my clothes with permethrin before travel (also sprayed my socks, jackets, and the backpack I planned to carry on the trekking opportunities), hat, - and then avoiding certain colors for the tsetse fly (to avoid sleeping sickness) - so no blue or black).  (In fact - when we were trekking to see the rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, I asked what the blue/black contraptions that were hanging from many trees -- they were tsetse traps.  Here is a picture -

my guide explaining how the tsetse traps work

and you can also see more about the rhino trek on this blog post:

https://drjsmafricanacademicadventures.blogspot.com/2025/10/ziwa-rhino-and-wildlife-ranch-tracking.html

I also followed all the recommendations for maintaining gut health -- brushed my teeth with bottled water, avoided getting water in my eyes/ears/mouth during shower, no ice in my beverages, avoiding fresh fruits/vegetables that I didn't wash and peel myself, etc.

Yet somehow - with all of the preparation and preventive measures taken, I did get sick about halfway through my stay.

Despite the US Government shutdown, I did have an emergency contact at the US Embassy, who pointed me in the direction of an excellent medical urgent care clinic -- the C-Care IMC Kololo.

My colleagues at the Center drove me to the clinic (and then back to the hotel) and made sure that I got the care that I needed. (They have been amazing hosts in every way!!)  

After a few tests, the doctor was able to rule out anything serious. I was able to get appropriate meds at the pharmacy that was located in the clinic. Between the meds I got at the clinic and the OTC meds that I brought with me, I was feeling much better in about 24-36 hours.  Perhaps it was just something that I ate??  But - I just wanted to be sure that we nipped anything potentially serious in the bud.  (It was a Thursday afternoon, late in the day, that we went to the clinic. I didn't want to go into the weekend sick - and need attention when no one was available/open to assist.)

All this is to say, I am very grateful for the testing and for the excellent care that I received at the C-Care IMC Clinic in Kololo - and for colleagues at the US Embassy and my hosts at Makerere who made sure I was always safe.

For more about C-Care Kololo see https://c-care.com/ug/clinic/c-care-imc-kololo/

Also -- Kololo is a beautiful part of town that boasts many embassies -- as well as the Independence park and ceremonial grounds -- so I got to see something new on my way to/from the doctor.

See this blog post for more about the Honorable Betty Castor's participation in the first Ugandan Independence observation that took place in Kololo 

https://drjsmafricanacademicadventures.blogspot.com/2025/10/one-on-one-meetings-with-researchers.html

Upcoming Faculty Development Workshop: Incorporating Virtual Global Exchange in the Curriculum

 

Very much looking forward to this faculty development workshop on VGE next week. We'll be working with faculty to develop courses with a VGE component, linking their courses with faculty and students in the US.

Best part -- longtime collaborator Larisa Patlis (From ULIM in Moldova) will join us to talk about how her students benefitted from partnering with students in the USA.

Upcoming Lecture: America@250: Opportunity for Civic Renewal in the USA

I am looking forward to delivering the lecture "America@250: Opportunity for Civic Renewal" as a part of the Center's lecture series.

One-on-One Meetings with the Research Fellows at the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States at Makerere University -- Countering Violent Extremism in Uganda

There are six research fellows in the first cohort at the Center.

Currently the researchers are each working on drafts of their book chapters for an edited volume that will explore Relationality: Uganda and America Since 1945. 

In addition to the collegial research seminars 

(See this article https://chuss.mak.ac.ug/en/us-professor-judithanne-scourfield-mclauchlan-joins-makerere-to-advance-uganda-america-relational-studies/)

I am also meeting with the researchers one-on-one, with several days set aside for this collaboration.  On Friday, we needed to move our meetings to MS Teams, but this actually worked better, as we could "share screen" to review drafts and resources.

Pictured, meeting with Historians Dr. Charlotte Mafumbo and Dr. Jacqueline Nakaiza about their study of US efforts to combat violent extremism in Uganda.

One-on-One Meetings with Researchers -- connecting Prof Bernard Luwerakera with the Honorable Betty Castor

I have been meeting one-on-one with the first cohort of researchers at the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States, mentoring them on their projects.  Ultimately, each of these researchers is contributing a chapter to a co-edited volume about US-Uganda relations.

When meeting with Prof. Bernard Luwerakera -- who is researching the impact of the Peace Corps Program in Uganda -- I knew immediately that I wanted to connect him with the Honorable Betty Castor.

Before the Honorable Betty Castor  was the first woman elected to serve on the Hillsborough County Commission, elected State Senator in Florida (and President Pro Temp of the Florida Senate), the first woman  elected statewide in Florida (as the Florida Education Commissioner), the first woman President of the University of South Florida,  appointed by President Obama to serve on the national Fulbright Board, among many other professional accomplishments ---

Betty was appointed by President Kennedy to be a part of the official US delegation to attend Uganda's Independence celebration. When a college student she traveled to Uganda on a service trip that provided books and other support for schools. After graduation, Betty taught in Uganda for 2 years soon after the country's independence. AND while a teacher in Uganda, she led the first group of African girls to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro!! 

As Prof. Luwerkera is working on his project evaluating the impact of the Peace Corps - particularly as it relates to education - I was hoping that he could interview Betty as a part of his research.

I was so pleased that Betty made time to join us for an intro meeting with Prof. Bernard along with the director of the Center, Prof Edward Kaweesi.  

Thank you so very much, Betty, for contributing to this research project! And for your many contributions to the people of Uganda!

Also -- I asked Betty to send over some photos of her work in Uganda to include in this post 

Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch - tracking white rhinos on foot

Sunday Funday: track white rhinos on foot at the Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch!

https://ziwarhinoandwildliferanch.com/

Rhinos were officially declared extinct in Uganda - but - with the assistance of rhinos from Kenya and donations from Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom (Disney Conservation Fund) Rhinos were brought to this sanctuary property.  

The very first calf born was of the mother from Florida (and father from Kenya) -- and he was named Obama! (born in 2009)  (And, yes!, I did purchase the Obama t-shirt pictured here. 

I had a wonderful guide (Brian) who went over all safety guidelines before leading me to this "crush" of rhinos resting in the shade.  I learned so much about rhinos - which I will try to update this post at a later time.

There are cabins and a new restaurant opened on the property - so you could stay for more than an afternoon.

Meeting with the Dean of the School of Liberal and Performing Arts, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa

It was a pleasure to sit down with Dean Khanakwa. In particular, I appreciated her insights about improving teaching and learning -- and how we could work together to promote internationalization across the curriculum. 

For more about Dean Khanakwa, see https://chuss.mak.ac.ug/en/personnel/pamela-khanakwa/