Uganda Lodge

Migorora Village

This is the cell or village in which Uganda Lodge is situated and the village boundaries run up to the top of the hills on both sides of the road.  It offers  many opportunities of hill-walking,  with stops to visit homes, farms and plantations on the way.

Nyamahani Village

There is a small trading centre in this village, just a few hundred metres from Uganda Lodge. Here a few very basic commodities  such as sugar, cooking oil, maizemeal, rice, local sweet bread, bananas and  ‘airtime’  can be bought. There are couple of small local bars with a pool table and music, if you need a change from Uganda Lodge.

There is an Adventist church and its interesting to join the service and meet everyone for a short while late on a Sunday morning.  There two large schools attached to this church, and the senoir school has many children who come from outlying areas stay and board.

Kasiizi Village

This village is less about one km along the road and here is a Ugandan Church with an attached primary school. Its an interesting experience to visit the school on a Friday afternoon and watch the tiny children  ’smearing’  wet cow dung on the floor to prevent jiggers getting in their bare feet.

Half way up the hillside at the heart of the village you will find a warm welcome from all you meet, and there are a couple of shacks selling a soda – Coke, Pepsi  and many other flavours,  or you are likely to be offered local brew – probably made from some type of bananas.

Ruhanga Parish

Ruhanga is the Parish that the immediate villages around Uganda Lodge lie within but there seems to be no trading centre. The homes are very spread out over the hillside and there are beautiful views in all directions along the valley; it is possible to go all around these tracks either walking or in  a 4×4.

Itojo Trading Centre

This is a trading centre about 4 kms back towards Kampala and a it has about 20 or 30 shops -  mostly local basic type shacks, many of which also house the whole family. Quite a variety of goods can be purchased here at a price, and there is a police station and a small  local savings bank.

The main ‘attraction’ here is a large hospital; it usually has many patients although always seems short on staff, medicines and  equipment  (unless you need treatment and happen to have a white face!!!) Local people are generally quite ill before they are taken here, as the concept is that ‘you go to hospital to die’  Not surprisingly for this reason many do die,  and here is one area in which small amounts of education from volunteers could change this perception.

Ntungamo Town

This small town is about 10 kms further west from Uganda Lodge and has many shops selling most things you would want to buy.  It takes about 15 minutes in a taxi; but if you stand outside the gates & wave any vehicle down they will likely stop and you may get a free lift (to pay its about 30 pence)

There is a very large market every two weeks, and a small permanent one selling fresh foodstuffs. Internet access is possible here – if the server and the power are both  not off!

The Stanbic has an international ATM, and now one of the other banks is a Western Union agent which is useful. From UK Western Union does a next day service and to send out £300 it only costs £10

Mbarara Town

This is a large town 50 kms back towards Kampala and it usually takes about 45 mins to one hour on a taxi (14 seater minibus)   They will stop outside the gates for you and you will find it an interesting journey. There is quite a big permanent covered market here selling a wide range of commodities.

In Mbarara you can buy most things that you will be needing and there is an good permanent market in town.  Although some shops are local in style, still selling basic foodstuffs  loose from sacks, there are several supermarkets where you can find many western treats such as  cornflakes or tinned fish at a price. We find  building materials are cheaper here than nearer to the Lodge but of course you have to cost in transport.

There are several banks, the main interest being the two that now have ATM machines accepting most international cards; Stanbic and Barclays being the most reliable. If they appear to be not working , just pop inside and ask, they have probably run out of money if you are requesting large amounts.

Some cap a withdrawal at about £250 at a time, so if  you want to be a millionaire or even a multi-millionaire its advisable to carry several cards – $500 will make you a millionaire. This amount of money will go a long way for food, public transport and accommodation, but it soon goes if you are buying building materials,  fuel and airtime.

There are several internet cafes- with access speeds ranging from acceptable to terrible!  They do vary and I think it depends on which server they are using.

You can find some quite expensive hotels here and they serve western food on request, if you want a change from the local fare. There are also places like the bakery selling cream cakes etc.  Of course you are always welcome to buy some different ingredients and teach the staff at the lodge a new dish.

In Mbarara several NGO’s have their base and you are likely to see the occasional  mzungu around if you crave some western company.  My daughter tells me there is a surprisingly good nightclub there as well!