October 8 - 30 Years of the Ugandan Constitution

October 8th was the 30th Anniversary of the Ugandan Constitution, which was adopted on October 8th, 1995.

One of the researchers I will be working with at the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States -- George Okiror -- is working on Constitutionalism and Rule of Law.  

I am looking forward to learning more about the Ugandan Constitution -- and reflecting on the influence if American constitutionalism in the Ugandan context.

It was interesting to read this article in the Daily Monitor: "What framers regret over 1995 Constitution"

Winston Churchill -- My African Journey -- Uganda "The Pearl of Africa"

When I learned that it was Sir Winston Churchill who coined the phrase that Uganda was the "pearl of Africa" I wanted to learn more about his experiences there.  It turns out, he wrote a book: My African Journey.

I found a used copy on eBay for me to read on the plane (or - one of the 3 planes that I would take from Tampa to Entebbe).

His journey took place during the summer of 1907 - as he described - in 4 stages (jungle, plains, mountains, lake). 

It was fascinating to follow along on his journey - to read his descriptions of the Buganda Kingdom and the wildlife here and to see some of the photographs that he took. I'll have to write a longer book review at a later time.

the flight from JFK to Doha was almost 15 hours

finally finished up the book at a restaurant in Kampala 

 

Meeting Faculty in the School of Social Sciences

Today my host Dr. Edward Silvester Kaweesi introduced me to the Political Science faculty. There are about 15 colleagues who make up the Department.

And also -- my next-door neighbor is a returning Fulbrighter who was a Fulbrighter at USF! Go Bulls!

We (at the Center for the Study of the United States) are actually going to be reaching out to alumni of US government exchange programs to partner with us. 

And, as it relates to Fulbright specifically, one of the researchers with the Center is working on a project about the impact of Fulbright in Uganda.

with Prof Philip Kasaija -- who was a Fulbrighter at USF!!

Ugandan Currency: The Ugandan Shilling

At the time of my travel, there were approximately 3,400 UGX per USD.  

Such beautiful colors!  (And I can't wait to see the gorillas - depicted on the reverse of the 50,000 UGX)

Sunday Exploration: The Source of the Nile, Ssezibwa Falls, and Tasting Ugandan Cuisine

Sunday Funday:  My first weekend in Uganda -- decided to explore the source of the Nile in Jinja and Ssezibwa Falls. The journey also provided my first opportunity to sample Ugandan cuisine.

Ssezibwa Falls

very knowledgeable guide - who told me all about the flora and fauna - as well as the religious rituals that take place on this sacred place (not pictured)

when you touch the leaves of this plant - they shy away!

some of the clay pots used in religious rituals

at a Jinja restaurant I sampled the goat stew and some matoke

we stopped at a vendor to try a popular street food here: rolex (rolled eggs)

I got a certificate! I have been to the source of the Nile River!

this bridge across the Nile is just like the Sunshine Skyway back home

sugar cane

tea 

Welcome to Makerere University!

My Host -- Dr. Edward Silvestre Kaweesi -- picked me up at the hotel and escorted me to campus the very next day.  I was so pleased to finally get to set foot on the Makerere University campus and to start to collaborate with my new colleagues at the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States!

In addition to a short orientation to the Makerere campus, Dr. Kaweesi introduced me to campus leaders: the Chair of the Department of Political Science, the Dean of Social Sciences, and the Assoc. Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

For more about Makerere University, see https://www.mak.ac.ug/about-makerere-university

Makerere University celebrated 100 years! This is the monument 

Meeting with the Dean of Social Sciences, Dean Justus Twesigye
https://chuss.mak.ac.ug/en/personnel/justus-twesigye/

A selfie with the Dean - in front of the portraits of him on the wall with pictures of all of the Deans of Social Sciences

Meeting with the Chair of the Department of Political Science Chair Paul Omach
https://chuss.mak.ac.ug/en/personnel/paul-omach/

Meeting with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) Depty Principal Eric Ochen  https://chuss.mak.ac.ug/en/personnel/eric-awich-ochen/

Very much looking forward to spending the next 4 weeks in the Social Sciences Building!