The cats and kittens of the Fairway Hotel

The Fairway Hotel provided safe, modern, and convenient lodging for my fellowship at Makerere University. See my post where I share more about the lovely gardens and restaurants that make up the hotel complex:

https://drjsmafricanacademicadventures.blogspot.com/2025/11/lodging-in-kampala-fairway-boutique.html

However, I do believe that the cats and kittens who live at the Fairway deserve their own post. 

Walking to and from breakfast, to and from the university, to and from dinner, I would pass these delightful cats and kittens.  And they would always brighten my days.

Over the month that I stayed at the hotel, the kittens gained strength and became more playful.

ARUA Conference - African Research Universities Alliance - Biennial International Conference 2025 -- October 2025 at Makerere University

The International Relations Office (IRO) at Makerere University invited me to join them at their table at the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Biennial Conference.  

This year's conference theme focused on the impact of AI in research in higher ed. and attracted university leaders from all across African continent to Makerere.

The IRO table was situated near the entrance and conference registration area, so it provided a wonderful opportunity to network and to showcase what Makerere is doing in its efforts to internationalize the campus and the curriculum.

At one point - I was standing at the table (beneath the IRO video that featured international faculty and students) under a video of myself!

If you look above me on the wall -- you can see the IRO video playing - featuring yours truly.  Many international students and faculty were interviewed about their experiences at Makerere

For a link to the IRO video, see  

with the IRO Team

books published by Makerere University Press were also available at the table

 - I bought a book of Ugandan political satire to read on the way home

 

Betty Nabisubi from the IRO Office - Thanks for all you have done to make me feel at home at Makerere!

with a representative of the European Union

with the President of a university in Mozambique

with the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Barnabas Nawangwe  

with the Director of the International Relations Office (IRO) Matthias Ssemanda

For more about the African Research Universities Alliance Biennial Conference 2025 see

https://arua.org/conferences/conference2025/

Follow-Up meeting and donations for the Treasure Children's Charity NGO, founded by Makerere University political science student Amon Byaruguba

I was so impressed with the work of Amon Byarugaba, the political science student who came to meet with me about youth community engagement after my America@250: Opportunity for Civic Renewal in the US lecture

See this blog post

https://drjsmafricanacademicadventures.blogspot.com/2025/10/dr-jsm-office-hours-meeting-with.html

I wanted to do something to help the children served by the Treasure Children's Charity in Nansana.

As I had already started packing my things for the return trip - it occurred to me that I would have some school supplies and toiletries that I could donate. I was glad that Amon could come back and see me again before I flew back to the US.

We have several ideas for collaboration -- and I am planning to invite him to speak to the USFSP YMCA Civic Fellows at our Civics Institute -- about youth empowerment and stepping up to meet community needs.

For more about the Treasure Children's Charity see https://www.treasurechild.org/

with some donations for the children -- school supplies and toiletries that I could spare from my luggage -- look forward to doing more to support this NGO

I really wasn't expecting a gift myself - but - I do so very much appreciate these beautiful sandals!

will share a pic of me enjoying these sandals in Florida, where we can wear sandals year-round 

the soles are made of recycled tires!!

Follow-Up meeting with youth advocate and podcaster Shallon Nyankubito

I appreciated that youth advocate Shallon Nyankubito could swing by my office at the Center for the Study of the United States for a follow-up meeting.

Among other things, I plan to invite Shallon to speak with our USFSP YMCA Civic Fellows about her youth advocacy in Uganda and in the Great Lakes region.

See this blog post about our first meeting

  https://drjsmafricanacademicadventures.blogspot.com/2025/10/dr-jsm-office-hours-meeting-with-youth.html

I will wear my Ugandan bracelet with pride :-))

Erasmus+ Visiting Scholar from Czech Republic - Jakub Vavrovsky of the University of Hradec Kralove

Today a visiting scholar from the Czech Republic -- Jakub Vavrovsky of the University of Hradec Kralove  -- stopped by the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States. He is part of the Erasmus+ exchange program.

We discussed his research related to sports migration and his plans for teaching and research while at Makerere. 

He will be based in the Political Science Department at Makerere University for the next few weeks.

For more about Erasmus+ see

https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/

For more about Prof Vavrovsky home institution see 

https://www.uhk.cz/en

Thank you so much to the International Relations Office (IRO) at Makerere -and Betty Nabisubi - for facilitating the visit!

Meeting with AmCham - the American Chamber of Commerce in Uganda

It was a pleasure to sit down with the American Chamber of Commerce in Uganda -- AmCham -- to discuss the newly launched Center for the Study of the United States at Makerere University and to explore avenues for partnerships between the Center and the American business community.

For more about the American Chamber of Commerce in Uganda, see 

https://www.amchamuganda.co.ug/

I brought sunglass from Visit St. Pete Clearwater! 

https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/

the official tourism and marketing board in Pinellas County, Florida

I have not been able to visit the US Embassy or the US Embassy American Center while in Uganda, due to the US federal government shutdown. This has been my biggest regret/disappointment about my Fulbright position here. So, imagine the pleasant surprise when I saw literature from the US Embassy on display at AmCham. I wasn't able to visit the American Center (or bring book donations or deliver a guest lecture) - but - I DO now have a copy of the brochure.

Sadly I will already be back in the US when the chamber presents this program for businesses on what they should know about how to prepare for election season in Uganda:

Gorilla Mist Camp -- our lodging at the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

When visiting the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (which is about a 10-12-14 hour drive from Kampala) for the gorilla trekking adventures, we stayed at the Gorilla Mist Camp.

Given our late arrival - then early morning departures - I never managed to have more than a few minutes to sit and enjoy the scenic views from the front porch of my lodge. That said, I did enjoy the time we did spend at the Gorilla Mist Camp. I would definitely recommend to prospective gorilla trekkers.

this was the deck of my cabin

With my driver from Ondaba Safari - Muhereza Callis.  I will write separately about the treacherous drive up the mountain. THANKS to Callis - we made it up and back down the mountain and to Kampala safely 

beautiful hand-carved gorillas carved on the door of the cabin

the stunning view from my porch  

on my porch - about 6:45 am - super excited about the gorilla trekking!

this was my room attendant - pictured here bringing my luggage back to our van - on his head - which is how people carry their loads

a nice fireplace where guests can hang out after dinner - this is in the dining room area

the lodge grounds were very well manicured

Up in the mountains the nights were cool; no central heating in the lodges, but with the blankets, this Florida girl did fine.  As I nestled into bed and rolled over to get comfortable - much to my surprise - I felt something FURRY.  I jumped out of bed and turned on the lights so fast!!  As it turned out, my room attendant had prepared my bed with this water bottle LOL It was definitely cozy, even without the central heating.

this silverback came home with me -- and so did a t-shirt declaring my gorilla trekking milestone 

For more about Gorilla Mist Camp, see https://gorillamistcamp.com/