Adventure in Uganda

Every trip must have its adventure. I think today (Saturday) qualifies for this trip’s adventure—at least we hope that is the case.

Today’s journey was to Busaba, about a 2½ hour drive from Jinja. It is the farthest village we travel to. Leaving Jinja, we crossed the dam over the Nile River. Just after crossing the dam we saw a police officer on the opposite side of the road pointing to our van and signaling for us to pull over. Robert was driving and immediately complied.

A police officer approached the van and demanded to know who was taking pictures. We looked at each other and shook our heads. Elizabeth raised her hand and said she was taking some pictures with her phone. Thus began our first experience with a Ugandan police shakedown.

After demanding the phone and panning through the pictures, one of the officers asked Elizabeth if she was a terrorist! That changed the tone of things. Robert got out of the van and talked with the police behind the van to try to straighten things out.

Apparently there is a sign as you approach the dam that says “No pictures!” Simeon and Nate noticed it, but didn’t say anything because they simply didn’t think much about it. In addition, they were not aware Liz was taking any pictures. But it is a violation to take pictures on and of the dam because of the vulnerability to terrorist attack.

Not surprisingly, the situation upset Liz. We were comforting and encouraging her while trying to explain the matter to the police. A man without uniform intervened and it was clear he was in charge. He began to insist this was a serious violation and ordered Liz, Martha, and Bruce out of the van (Martha and Bruce, because they had to get out in order for Liz to get out). As the man in charge continued to accuse and question at the same time, he said they would have to take Liz away. Martha insisted since Liz was not an adult and she was under Martha’s care, she would have to go with Liz.

After a few minutes, the man dropped the idea of taking Liz away and said she would have to pay a “penalty” for the violation—2000,000 Ugandan shillings (about $75US). Liz didn’t have the money on her, but Ahnika quickly handed over the 200,000.

With the money handed over, (and pocketed by the man in charge) we were ordered back in the van. Robert returned, we were able to retrieve the phone, and quickly left, breathing a sigh of relief.

Then comes the rest of the story…As we began driving away we started talking about the situation with Robert. He was rather matter-of-fact about the fact that “these things happen,” but pleased that we were able to leave with his having to pay 50,000 shillings to the police. Then it dawned on us that two “penalties” were paid! Robert was shocked and really disappointed. And we all just shock our heads in amazement. But, we were also very grateful that it was only money that was lost.

We then took the opportunity to talk with the kids about sometimes you have no control of the situation and the best you may be able to do is submit to the unfairness. You also need to recognize you have to choose you battles. Some battles are simply not worth the cost. Some are worth the cost. Choose wisely, and be ready to pay the cost for the battles you choose.

The remainder of the trip to Busaba was uneventful compared to how it began. Busaba is a 45 minute drive off the paved highway, with little in the way of public services. It is also a center for witchcraft, which Robert pointed out to us so we could be prepared for whatever happened. The visit turned out to be filled with joy.

We were greeted with great enthusiasm. One elderly woman came running to the van, waving her arms and calling out Jesus’ name. She grabbed Bruce and took him over to the worship group that was meeting under a temporary tent. Their church building had been destroyed by a storm last year so they now meet under a jackfruit tree. After the team got organized, our hosts decided to move the tent nearer the jackfruit tree so more people could be shaded.

After more singing and introductions, the children went with Martha and the young assistants for Bible story and activity time. Ken and Bruce each provided teaching from Scripture with a focus on the Gospel. As is the norm, they were both received enthusiastically.

Following the conference time, Jawali (our taxi driver) and Sarah distributed beans, rice, and flour to the oldest attendees and Martha gave out some animal toys to the youngest. She was almost overrun by the children, but worked her way back to the van before it got out of hand.

The trip back to Jinja was a time to relax and appreciate the countryside. Small plots of corn around villages, fields of rice with scarecrows sprinkled through them, papyrus growing at the edges of small bodies of water, a bridge that doubles as a road and a railroad. A train came down the tracks about one minute after we crossed the bridge, so we were pleased that we didn’t have to see what happens when a train and a vehicle come to the bridge at the same time!

Dinner again at the Sityos. Fish and chips and lots of fresh pineapple. We will never tire of the pineapple.