Hair salons in Uganda

It is difficult to find a hair stylist in Uganda that knows how to properly cut mzungu hair, and most will refuse to try. I took my chances twice at salons and had my hair 'butchered'. So I suggest you only go to a salon which is recommended by someone.

A stylist was recommended to me by Maggie, a partner of a volunteer and she always has nice-looking hair. So I finally went to her and was very pleased with the result. I had it cut and two-tone highlighted. The stylist is from Serbia and has a salon in her home which is very near Garden City Mall and the golf course.

Mira'Salon
1-3 Coral Crescent
Kololo
077 404 7200

Socializing with Ugandans

Many (maybe most) volunteers don't socialize with Ugandans outside the work environment. When we first arrived on our campus one of the college staff told us that previous volunteers would never socialize with or accept dinner invitations to Ugandans homes. It seems that many refuse to eat or even try Ugandan food.

To live in a country for a year or two and never spend a day with a local family is a shame. Something important from the time living here will be missing.

Danny and I have been to two weddings and one funeral. We've been to dinners at the homes of 9 different families, some more than once. A massive quantity and variety of foods are offered and meat is always served as it's considered a very special occasion when they have mzungus for guests.

I always enjoy these outings and look forward to the ones we have planned for September before we go home. A few pics from previous visits......

Doreen, Makerere University student!

Doreen Nyamwija is now enrolled at Makerere University Business School. In three years time her degree will be a Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management (BESBM). She has a room in a pleasant and secure hostel within walking distance and is ready for classes to begin next week.

Doreen and her mother are extremely grateful and appreciative of the generous sponsors who have given her this chance at a secure and prosperous future. The vast majority of young Ugandans can only dream of having such an opportunity.

Doreen sends heartfelt thanks to the following:

Aillidh (a lovely and generous 6 year old who insisted on helping)
Bill & Roni
Cathy
Christie and Jerry
...and us.

Our gifted student, Doreen

Today at the secondary school Doreen attended there was a church service followed by a presentation of gifts to the top three recent graduates. We attended this function with Doreen's mother as Doreen is in Kampala. The girls school which is in Ibanda has 800 students and we were impressed by the school and the staff. Doreen had the second highest scores in her class for her A level courses. The gifts her mother received on behalf of Doreen were a large flask (thermos) and a fleece blanket--both very useful items. The headmistress and teachers were very pleased to know that one of their star pupils would be able to attend university. Without sponsorship Doreen would never have been able to find the money to attend.

In a week we will travel to Kampala for a VSO workshop for volunteers who will be leaving in the next 6 months. Doreen's mother will accompany us and whilst there we hope to sort out a hostel for her, get account numbers for wiring funds, and Doreen will register for classes at Makerere University. She is thrilled and we get frequent text messages from her expressing her gratitude! We have faith in her and know without a doubt that she will succeed and we won't be surprised if she goes on to get a master's degree.

A few shopping/dining tips for new volunteers

As we have been based in Mbarara I have some tips for those whose placement is in/near Mbarara.


Markets with imported goods

• Pearl
• Kirimi
• Lucky (limited choices)
• New Beka

Restaurants with western food

• Lake View Hotel - it's a gamble when ordering anything on the menu-might be good, might not. Lunch buffet is nice and has African and a few western dishes. Also has a nice pool which you can use for 7,500 shs.
• Agip Motel and Restaurant - we enjoy their food and a couple of favourites for omnivores - fillet for all seasons, and beef stir fry with rice
• Classic Hotel - food is good but service is very slow. The second floor balcony is a nice place to sit and enjoy a beer and watch the goings on in the street.
  

In Kampala near the VSO office in Muyenga

• Chez Johnson - do NOT stay there - we're heard many complaints about them and it's very noisy during the night as well
• DO go to the Indian Summer restaurant which is in the same complex as Chez Johnson. Great food!
• Fuego - down the road from VSO across from the Chinese restaurant - good meals - great beef - nice atmosphere in a large garden
• Italian Market across from the office - a very popular spot for volunteers and NGO employees who live/work in the area. The shop has many imported items, the sandwiches are good, and the ice cream in the cafe is also a good treat.
• Cafe Roma - on the same road as VSO but about a mile away - great if you order Italian food but we've been very disappointed in the other options such as pork or steak.
• Shalom Hotel - near the office - we haven't stayed there but others recommend it.
• International Landmark - close to the office - more expensive than others in the area but we enjoy it as it was where we spent our first night in Uganda and the staff treat us as old friends since we always stay there when in Kampala.

Other Kampala shops/restaurants

• Le Patisserie - in the Quality Hill shopping centre with Le Petit Village Hotel and Le Chateau restaurant near the US embassy. Good bread and pastries.
• Garden City Mall! - Uchumi is my favourite for stocking up on foods/household items/toiletries. You'll get more variety, large economy sizes, less items past their sell by date, and a cheaper price for many items than you'll get in Mbarara.
• Lugogo Mall - Game - If you need any small appliance or utensil for the kitchen they will have it. We bought a small fridge/freezer at Game for about 300,000shs. Shoprite is also good and has some items you can't get at Uchumi.

Entebbe

Airport Guesthouse Entebbe is a great place to chill when waiting for a flight. There is a small garden and a veranda with comfy chairs. Regular rate is $55/night for a double or twin. However, if you let them know you are a volunteer they'll only charge you $45. Dinner is $15 and is good but not spectacular. Beware of going in the rainy season though as you'll be bombarded by annoying lake flies when you sit outside and take care that they don't get into your room.

Products

Small appliances and other products that are made in China but would not be accepted by the American or European market are sent to African countries. We are on our third electric tea kettle.

I recommend a Philips iron as it can survive many falls to the floor and I've had the same one for 2 years.

We purchased a fan at Uchumi that was made in Japan - Nikai - and after frequent use over the past 18-20 months it's still working fine.

Toilet paper - I have tried every brand and the best one is Golden Lion. Don't buy Golden Camel as it's similar to using a newspaper!