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Manyatta Huts: Uganda’s Emerald Among Corals

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Karamojong Manyatta

Over the years, change has impacted enormous economic developments. Uganda has joined the league of the fastest growing economies of the world, but this change has robbed us of the pleasantries synonymous with living in the Africa of yesteryears. The Africa where people used to wake up to the sight of inquisitive wildlife at their doorsteps, the Africa where beautiful traditional cultures flourished is not anymore.

Today, most corners of the country have binned positive African values and cultures for western junk. One such gem is the authentic African infrastructure which has been replaced by structures built using mostly ‘eco-enemy’ materials. That withstanding, there are communities that have defied all odds and preserved such infrastructure. If you are looking for something to this effect, one such place to visit is Kabong, one of the Districts neighboring Kidepo Valley National Park from the East.

For almost every kilometer turn in the sparsely populated district which is home to the Karimojong, Kabong is dotted with exquisite manyattas (a dwelling heritage carried down from their forefathers) that makes you feel like you are back to long lost Africa.
Circled by double walls of thorns that are head high and about a meter thick, these traditional huts also known as ‘ere’ are home to the Karimojong, a welcoming warrior nomadic tribe. A manyatta is incredibly beautiful. It bears the semblance of a village albeit smaller and may house a family and its extended members.

Within a manyatta are thick mud homes that stay cool in the year-round heat. Not a scrap of metal or concrete is used in constructing a manyatta, which is an anomaly in a world that’s now characterized by wall-to-wall concrete. At the heart of the manyatta is a large kraal where the cattle are kept.

They are fashioned every 5-10 years as the Karimojong make large migrations across the scrublands and plains. Warriors and men move more often with their herds casually looking for greener pastures and water. However, sometimes a family may move because of an outbreak of disaster. In the neighborhoods of the manyatta, one can also find kitchen gardens.

Source credit: Karimoja, the land of Nomadic warriors by David Pluth and James Bowyer.

10 Best Hotels to Stay Close to Kampala

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Wild waters Lodge

Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake in the world and the largest freshwater lake in Africa, with a surface area of 26,560square miles. It is also one of the most beautiful features that make Uganda stand out of the crowd as a Pearl. If you have a strong preference for waterfront beaches, meet some of the most beautiful hotels you should visit before the year ends.

Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel Entebbe
From the start, we could tell our two day stay at this hotel was going to be pleasant (when we visited it for a residential meeting last January). We made reservations via their website and WOW, the entire booking process was never a pain in the wrong spot. Imperial commands an electrifying view of Lake Victoria and has astounding greenery. The rooms have sort of flaps to let in all sounds of the lake. This has a healing effect to the body and soul.
Botanical beach hotel is equally awesome for small meetings as it has lots of spaces, each with comfortable seating facilities.

Location wise, it is a bang and close to the heart of everything worth exploring in Entebbe: Uganda wildlife education center, Ngamba, cafes and even Airport. It is also perfect if you want a long night out. It is within walking distance from some of Entebbe’s most vibrant nightclubs like Knight Riders Discotheque.

Nyange Resort and Marina

What makes a honeymoon resort unforgettable? Some say it is how astounding its architectural design is. Others believe the answer lies in its location, level of tranquility, and sense of privacy. Regardless of whether you agree more with the former or the latter, Nyange resort and marina will sweep you off your feet. It is within 30 minutes drive from Entebbe, at Bwerenga village. It features a collection of modern-style African cottages. Nyange is a great place to take in the refreshing breeze of Lake Victoria. When you breathe it in deeply (the breeze), you will feel the life you have inside you.

Nyange’s beauty is complemented by astonishing sunsets. It will swamp over your worries and leave you gulping back tears of joy. Then there are the saintly birds like the great white egret, a species after which the hotel is named. The Baganda associate it with peace and blessings, this is exactly what Nyange offers.

Victoria Forest Resort

This resort will blow you off your thrown with its white sand beach, as fenced in by a relaxing forest ambiance. It is located on Bugala Island, the largest of the Ssese Islands.  If you love less crowded hotels, its location alone will glow up your cheeks and light up your eyes.

width=Its beds and showers are a perfect place to relax after a long day. They are warm and cozy. On the other hand, its breakfast offers a great start to a good day. It is easy to confuse Victoria’s breakfast for a brunch. See, it features a wide variety of offerings, with an emphasis on organically grown produce.

Among the things that keep travelers coming back here is that it is easy on the budget. While its executive cottage costs $30, deluxe costs $45, tent $15, and millennium $55.
To others like Ronald Ross Ochoo though, the hotel’s serene environment and its welcoming and warm staff make it worth a star recommendation to anyone planning to stay on the Bugala Island.

Serenada Eco Resort

It sits on the edge of a peaceful jungle at the shores of Lake Victoria, near Kampala. To be more precise, it is found in Mukono District, Mpatta Sub-county, Butere. It is a well-conserved ecological getaway that is perfect for honeymoon or family holidays.

"Apart from a lake waterfront, Serenada is also comprised of two tropical forests, four flowery gardens, a jungle of papyrus, and a beach. The buildings here are nothing short of Eco-friendly. They are built of materials that are dearer to the Eco-system such as softwood, bamboo reeds, smooth murram and thatched with grass. This naturally attracts lots of birds with soothing calls that are as sweet to the ears as serenade music. For a more fulfilling experience, you could head out for a guided bird-watching excursion around the lake and its shores. You stand high chances of seeing the 220 species to which Serenada is paradise.

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In no exaggeration, Serenada is the kind of getaway you would want to stay in forever.

Speke Resort Munyonyo & Conference Centre
By the time a president stays in a given hotel, you know it is a five star hotel in the real sense of the word. Over 50 Presidents have stayed at this luxurious estate found in Munyonyo, a litter free shore of Lake Victoria.

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The property which is widely spread over 100acres has it all; we are talking about state of art amenities you can expect of a 21st century-star-hotel: A fully fledged gym, Olympic sized swimming pools, flower gardens that are colourful all year.
It has a variety of accommodations rooms (335), each with décor and ultramodern furnishings that are themed along Uganda’s heritage. Regardless of which one you chose, you will be treated to sweeping panoramic views of an environment that is beautiful and relaxing; swimming pools, marina, flower gardens. What amazes us the most about this hotel is that though it is always busy, its staff do not compromise when it comes to offering really high standards of services.

Regardless of whether you are a honeymooner or business traveller, Speke is a beautiful place to spend a night in Kampala.  The bonus is a live band performance. Loved it. Great songs and fabulous performance by an array of talented Ugandan artists inclusive of performers of traditional dances. Gorgeous costumes and creatively designed stages. Absolutely worth a watch.

Pineapple Bay Bulago
This resort is always missed because it is hidden, but it is worth visiting anytime of the year. Happiness will start roaring through you at the sight of Bulago.
Its rooms are wide, with fairly large windows that let the lake into the room. The comfy king-sized beds, coupled with the marble bathrooms come across as a great choice for lovebirds.

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On the whole, the island is so quiet that one can hear only their thoughts. Bulago appeals to travelers in need of an authentic experience, as opposed to artificially air-conditioned settings. The rooms are decorated with nature’s colors, something which makes Pineapple a great place for meditating. The fish fest here is a must-attend. It is a succulent grill that is delicious to the last piece.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

I first saw this awe-inspiring Island five years back and instantly fell in love with it! I’ve been back to it six times, and would go back again! Each of its stilted tents is as spacious as a small house, with a roomy deck whose feet are firmly anchored into the lake shores. While standing at the decks, your eyes will be taken on a relaxing journey. A journey to the surrounding Islands with their busy fishermen.

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There’s not a dull moment at this facility which turns 20years mid this 2018. I would say it’s a “Must visit!” for friends or family. Friend, it is home to 49 orphaned chimps rescued from throughout Uganda.

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If your heart beats for migratory species (birds), the best time to visit Ngamba is September-October. During this time, the island comes alive with over 10 gorgeous species that fly from as far as Italy. Needless to say, the fun and attentive staff here also deserve special mention.

Lake Victoria Serena Golf resort and spa
If you are exploring Kampala or Entebbe and don’t mind being spoilt with luxury, I definitely recommend this hotel with an always inviting beauty. From a distance, you are bound to mistake it for a castle due to its traditional Mediterranean architecture.

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Thanks to its pastel color palettes, this hotel has taken the beauty of Lake Victoria to a new level. It is located in Kigo, a suburb in a quiet environment with clean air.
Serena is beautiful and has everything you can expect from a 5-star hotel, from the rooms, amenities, ambiance, bars…..the list goes on. It also has a multitude of arenas for recreation inclusive of vast swimming pools and a well-maintained golf course. The views of Lake Victoria from here are spectacular, and so is the atmosphere. The cottages are ideal for those wanting privacy and solitude. This makes it a great place for both honeymooners and families with small children. Serena is also a remarkable venue for a conference as it is away from the city’s confusion.

The road leading to it seems a little rough as it is not rehabilitated, but rest assured you will have no trouble getting to the hotel as it is easy to find. As is typical of hotels belonging to the Serena Group, Kigo has a multi-cultural feel and many options of cuisines.

  Buvi lodge
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Buvi is a hidden Gem in a remote part of Entebbe that is still undisturbed. The 23kilometer journey here from Kampala will leave you wondering if there is anything fancy in your destiny, Buvi village. You pass by poor shacks and a dusty road. The area is building up and this lodge is one of the architectural marvels that will help it succeed. Buvi is largely fashioned from fully baked bricks, well polished wooden floors, and furnished iron sheets. On the inside, they are decorated with exquisitely carved furniture. This place is easy to get to from the heart of the Capital, even when using public transportation. The staff never find it bothering to make your stay memorable.

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On the other hand, the swimming pool is not the poshest there is in Uganda, but it has its own charm. It is a great place to relax and meet new people with whom you share a lot in common. An overnight stay here costs less than UGX 300,000 per person.

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Brovads sands lodge
Brovad is exactly what many looking for in Kalangala, a quiet and clean place that is all about romance. It is well located in a less busy part of Bugala in Ssese Islands, Lake Victoria.

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This beachfront hotel offers a sense of living in a tastefully decorated modern African village. Its rooms have simple yet elegant artistry. If you want to treat her to a romantic experience she won’t forget,  the candlelit dinner at the beach will do wonders. We can bet on that.
Among the simple things that make Brovad extra-ordinary is that its meals give you the flexibility of eating when you want. Imagine the possibility of not being limited to having meals at scheduled times, as is the case with most hotels.

In related news, the quad biking experience at Brovads is unhurried. Alternatively, you can go for a guided nature walk. It is a great way to learn about the islands endearing flora and fauna. Better still, you can sit at the powder-soft beaches and meditate on the sounds of the lake. The stillness here is a delightful contrast to the busy life in Kampala.

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Living waters lodge

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You cannot forget to carry your camera when coming to visit this sweet paradise. It is built atop the same Hill where John Speke stood in 1858 before declaring Jinja as the source of the world’s longest river. It is such an eye catchy family run Eco-resort, one that is full of picturesque views of the source of the Nile and Lake Victoria.
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Looking at the cottages of Living Waters Resort from the outside, you are bound to think of it as a luxury tent. On entering inside though, you will be blown away by the realization that it is a safari lodge. One with colorful decor that is themed along with African Heritage.
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During your visit, you will love the sound of the wind as it sways trees back and forth in the night. It feels like it is raining.
The other reason that makes Living Waters worth your visit is that it is as attractive as a newly established property, yet it is over five years old. I guess this is because it is very well maintained. The bonus is that staff are very pleasant, and the food is heavenly.

The Enchanting Flavors of Luo Dishes

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Luo Dish

When many think of Northern Uganda’s culinary claim to fame, they think malakwang, an exquisite traditional Luo dish whose tongue bewitching taste has given many a reason to believe in love at first taste as opposed to love at first sight. Unknown them, especially those who haven’t been to the luo land-for a taste bud quest is that malakwang is just one of the many Luo dishes adored for hitting the tongue at the spot where one wants it to. HERE’S to all the understated but exceptional Luo dishes.

Famous malakwang

Malakwang is the outcome of simmering okra, a sour finger like vegetal with moderate heat and later pasting in it peanut butter plus minimal salt. The outcome is not only a feast for the eye but further a justification for one to drool.

Malakwang goes beyond turning on you’re a petite, it gives the tongue a tickling sensation. The source tastes better when served with millet bread or sweet potatoes. It is a fantastic lunch food that will keep you going till the next breakfast and you’ll probably resume with another serving.

Due to its pleasant and easy taste on the palate, it is said to be the reason many tourists believe in love at first taste as opposed to love at first sight. To say the least, the food is mwwaaaahhh, or as the French say, Oh lá lá!

Alagu

Unlike most the other dishes, alagu doesn’t have that seductive name, and neither does it have that striking aroma that instantly captures a diner’s attention. However, your life won’t be the same the moment it reaches your tongue. See, the peanut pasted-cheesy vegetable source- engulfs the tongue in a sensual dance that will leaves many fighting over the last drop-without the slightest consideration of letting go. A spoonful of the soup is all

you need to make your worries a distant memory because there is something supernatural in the way its flutters the tongue causing it to coil in excitement.

Dominic Opio a professional luo chef recommends that if one wants to wash it down, he pick a glass of pineapple juice or milk and take a careful sip. However, he is quick to doubt that anyone would want to rush alagu down their throat-let alone swallow it because its taste in the mouth is nothing short of incredible.

“Its taste will make its eater squeak like an excited toddler.”Opio says

Agira

Agira is mashed peas or beans simmered till it is perfectly smooth to be swallowed without chewing. Depending on your preference, you can either settle for the fried or pasted type. Whichever option pleases you, you might want to add just a little bit of Shea butter oil for a heady aroma. Yes you’ll get fat, but you will have a great time doing so because the oil is proven to be free of cholesterol.

Pot okono-the fresh leaves of a pumpkin

Pot okono. Say it out loud as one word, and try not to smile. POTOKONO….now that’s how its pronounced in Lango, the land where it is one of the favourites. Any way potokonoo is definitive, rough but oddly clean-tasting at the same time and the sauce is no doubt “lovable”.

According to Angella Susan ,Langi, 62, pot okono is highly thought of as a love charm that Luo wives use to find their ways into the hearts of their husbands.

“The Langi men love it to bits because besides having a strong green aroma that sends a prickle of sensual awareness skittering across their tough skins, it awakens the taste buds with its greasy taste.’’ she says

“Above, it boosts their manpower and makes them feel like the lord of the land instead of landlord-simply powerful.” Angella adds

There you have it folks, if all the above doesn’t meet your expectations, then I am afraid you might have to go on hunger strike or try out the otigo, a food which is adored for its delightful and attractive green colour. Aside from that, it is so fresh and you’ll think its flirting with you.

The National Theatre: Your number one Entertainment Center

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National Theatre Uganda

It is my pleasure to share with the readers of the View magazine about Uganda National Cultural Centre commonly known as The National Theatre.

Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) is a Ugandan Statutory body that was established on 8th October 1959 by the Uganda National Cultural Centre Act,1959 as amended in 1965 with the mandate of Preserving, Promoting, and Popularizing Uganda’s cultural heritage both locally and internationally. Over the years, UNCC has been an icon in this country as a center for nurturing culture especially performing and visual arts

Among the projects under UNCC is the National Theatre which has greatly promoted Performing arts in this country through training, provision of space to artists. The theater has also acted as a meeting point for artists where they meet to develop and also share ideas. Our Auditorium whose architectural set up is at the international standards has stood the test of time, actually, it is the only one of its kind in Uganda and East Africa as a whole.

National Theatre Auditorium has a modern wooden plank stage boasting of an advanced 60-channel lighting system an in-built public address system, spacious dressing rooms for performers with ample shower and toilet facilities a foyer bar, restaurant, a carpentry workshop where sets can be constructed, and one small and large rehearsal/meeting room with two large spaces for open-air concerts and other performances. We have also a 12 channel lighting console to service any event held in the above spaces together with a heavy-duty standby generator to ensure productions are not disrupted by power cuts. The Auditorium is also equipped with a 300mm electronic film screen connected to a projector which you cannot find anywhere else in Uganda.

In case of fire, the auditorium has a safety curtain that safeguards the audience from the stage. This is boosted by the availability of standby fire extinguishers. Besides the safety curtain, our auditorium has the front of the house curtain, 4 legs curtains, 2 traverses (curtains that divide the stage), 2 pairs of borders, and cyclorama (Backdrop). All these drapes enable Performance Directors to create productions at the international levels at the UNCC auditorium.

The Theatre also has a state-of-the-art video unit to record productions that take place in the auditorium. It is also building up an audio and visual/ film archive and research office so that our rich cultural and artistic history is not lost to future generations.

For any production of any kind, the UNCC facilities (Auditorium) is the venue of your choice. It has an excellent setup facilities and staff of international

Sip Nature’s Beauty at Sipi Falls

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Sipi Falls of Eastern Uganda

The interesting difference between Sipi and Murchison Falls, in my opinion, is that of the two, Sipi is more accurately named. The thing about Murchison Falls is that the water there just doesn’t fall. It fights, froths, and foams its way through the rocks.

At Sipi, however, the water really does fall. The flow never touches the cliff at all, but simply drops, in a lacy, diaphanous veil, to crash into the pool at bottom, creating a constant fine mist in the process. It’s a beautiful, elegant ballerina, stretching top to toe a slender 100 meters; Murchison by comparison is a stocy, meaty beast, more awe-inspiring than mesmerizing.

And should you decide to visit this delicate aquatic ballerina, you could do worse than stay at the quaint and comfortable Lacam Lodge, along the road, from Mbale to Kapchorwa. The Lodge, constructed on the slopping cliff, is moderately-priced, with a relaxed wooden bar, and lots and lots of steps (which is good for the knees, but very bad if you need the toilet at 3:00am)

There are two main reasons why this place is so good, the first of which is the food. The quality is pretty good- I particularly enjoyed my honey pancake, though it would have gone down better hot- but the quantity is the real bonus, if eating is what you like to do. It’s the sort of place one would got to if one had just wandered out of the Sahara, where you could walk in on Monday rake-thin, and walk out on Tuesday heavy as a hippo.

On Sunday morning for breakfast, I was served up pineapple and banana for starters, then toast as a second course, and finally bacon, eggs, and sausage as the grand finale. I could quite happily have shared the meal between another two people and still left the table feeling satisfied.

The second reason for choosing Lacam is that it’s very convenient for abseiling, the location of which is only a five-minute walk from the lodge. Organized by a company inexplicably known as “Rob’s Rolling Rock”, I never saw Rob, or any rolling rocks – this is a must-do for those visiting the falls. You lower yourself rather scarily backwards over the 100-meter drop, suspended by a couple of ropes, and then basically lower yourself down by feeding one of your ropes through the harness.

The feeling about half-way to the bottom, when you look all around you and are basically hanging in mid-air, is particularly memorable. Intelligently, the site for the abseiling is also quite close to the falls themselves; not quite close enough for them to make you wet, but close enough. If you’re feeling energetic, you can also, from the base of Sipi, go on a three-hour or so tour of two other falls upstream – similar in appearance to Sipi- and “the cave”.

This last is a big fat cavern in the mountain, which is apparently filled with bats; however, you need to take your torch in there to see them, and do take one yourself. Guides, mine included, sometimes forget to bring a light themselves, which can be a bit of a pain.

Just the same, this place is still one of the best experiences I have had in Uganda, mainly because the abseiling and three-hour country trek appealed to my energetic side. Be warned of a couple of things though: the abseiling co, have not, as yet, got gloves as part of their kit, which can result in nasty burns as the rope zips through your palms. Second, don’t expect to be able to watch the falls as you eat your dinner, they are only visible from one point at the lodge, so they are usually heard, rather than seen.

The Ssese Islands, a Place to Go and Relax anytime of the Year

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Ssese Islands

Journey to the Kalagala Island
Boarding a ferry at Nakiwongo, Entebbe, enjoying a 3:30 hour’s cruise to the Ssese Islands (made of 84 islands) one of uganda’s islands full of beautiful green environment with fresh air and white sand beaches.
The hours on the ferry seemed shorter as one could be taken away by the nice breezes on the ferry.

Maybe brief about where and what time to board a ferry.
Nakiwongo is about 2km from Kitolo, Entebbe town and fee for the ferry is 10,000 shs (2nd class) and 14,000shs (1st class).  The ferry leaves at exactly 2:00pm so you MUST be there atleast 30minutes before departure.
Oooh incase you want more adventure, you can drive upto Masaka – Bukakata (about 145 – 165Km) and take the 4pm ferry. Though to be in Kalalagala will take you around 40-50minutes.

Staying at the Island
Ssese Island is rapidly growing with a number of mushrooming beautiful resort beaches at very much affordable cost.  Truth be told, Uganda is a leading country with very much hospitable, welcoming and friendly people and this was very much shown at the Island. I was well received and taken to my resort where I was to camp for 2 nights.

The place I did stay in (Mirembe Resort Beach) had beautiful natural surroundings that were full of sounds of different species that made sweet melodies all night.
After refreshing myself I immediately embarked on my personal favorite meal that is Matooke, a WHOLE BIG FISH that was served with salads. I could not resist taking it with a cold beer (just one by the way!!). This gave me a feel of relaxation, stress free, away from my computer, phones and ofcourse the noise in the city.

Nature or Forest walks
My next day was more adventurous, fun and a lot to learn from. I did request the people at the resort to help me get someone who could show me around the island. And guess what ………… after a few minutes I was introduced to a very knowledgeable tour guide TOMSON.

We started our journey from the Fishing village then headed for the forest. It’s a very beautiful think green forest with a variety of different tree species, lots birds of different species (African Fish Eagle), small insects…….. oooh yes the red aunties couldn’t miss the party (ofcourse a few managed to bite me) but  I could care less …………. I was enjoying.

The seasonal streams that are only created usually after rainy season could not stop to amaze me. The forest we did move in occupies around 3 square miles ofcourse with few patches of squatters mainly palm tree and small scale farmers.

My nature walk did end in the uphill side where the kalagala town is located. It is still very much quiet town with bodabodas (motorcyclists) being the mojor transport within the island. I moved around for about 4hours, it was worth it. You can imagine I did not even cover quarter of the island. Tomson told me I could only do that if we actually included driving around. So just imagine what you can do if you had a car!

Sunday morning was time to pack my bags and head back home on an 8:00am cruise. It was worth it and tell you what I have come back home as very changed and much focused person. As a Ugandan, am so glad I did that tour.
So any day you very like getting out town and you are looking for a place to go to, The Ssese Islands will be a good choice.

Oooh do not forget to bring me a BIG FISH on your way back to Kampala……… hahahahahha!

Glow Every Single Day

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Glow Every Single Day

Looking good is a confidence booster and it is also another way of relaxing. So, enjoy these seven beauty tips throughout the week;

Pamper those nails

A manicure or pedicure is a lovely way of taking care of your nails. Give your nails a punch of style by wearing nail colour that is deep; like the dramatic deep red. Dark shades are also an option to pull off.

Give them a soak

Maintain sponges and brushes you use to apply your makeup clean. Once or twice, wash them to unclog the germs they could have. Ensure that the brushes and sponges dry properly before the next use.

Scrub off that dirt

For a clear complexion, rid your face of facial grime and dirt by using a scrub twice a week. It is best to scrub after a soak in the bath when the skin is supple. Use gentle out-ward circular movements, avoiding the eye area.

Go for a massage

The massage is a language that communicates relief to the body system. You can enjoy a do-it-yourself fingertip massage on the face to stimulate blood circulation and ease stress.

Give hair a treat

Does your hair dry out so fast? Try a deep-penetrating hair treatment at least once a week. It will nourish your hair by adding moisture to get that healthy look.

Water yourself

Rid your body of toxins by eating fresh fruits and drinking a lot of water.

Spice Up Your Verandah

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Spice Your Verandah

It may look like just another verandah, but, a covered porch can be much more than the small space in front of your door. Not just the place where you and your visitors leave your shoes. Make it a place to come out on moonlit nights to do an occasional supper.

Make it a comfortable scene of indoor games like ludo, chess, etc. accessorize with a checkered table top that is a table as well as a chess/draughts board.

Accessorize with comfy wicker chairs spruced up with colorful cushions and throws if it is walled in on at least two sides, either by a half wall or full wall.
Potted plants and creepers look exaggerated and alive. Fragrant plants like some herbs (rosemary, lemon grass) improve the ambience. They also can be used for cooking and herbal medicine.

Tall plants and potted trees shade areas that are exposed to too much sun. They also have a peaceful rustling sound when the wind blows through their leaves. Plant climbers on columns and pillars can wind their way upward and give a Mediterranean look to the verandah. Hanging baskets with creeping plants and flowers that fall over on both sides make a dreamy addition.

If there is room enough, include a hammock for relaxing on lazy afternoons or a children’s or adult swing that hangs from the ceiling.

You can also decide to decorate your verandah in a particular theme of décor. For instance, a corner can have a Japanese theme.

Use very short but long tables with square cushions for sitting cross legged. To enhance the theme, one can screen off the area using a wooden or rice paper screen painted with typical oriental art.

Do not let your verandah just sit there. It can be a very exciting experience in ambience and interior décor. Make it a place where you can sit and relax during your free time.

Bilharzia in Uganda: All You Need to Know

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Bilharzia Campaign in Uganda

Uganda is a very healthy place to visit, or to live and work. Uganda is in the tropics and people may expect to see a lot of tropical diseases. Reality is different. People seldom get tropical diseases, they get pretty much the same sort of problems they could get in Europe or America: backaches, coughs/colds, hangovers etc. There are one or two exceptions. Last edition looked at one fairly common tropical disease, malaria. This month another tropical disease that enjoys more rumors than reality – Bilharzia.

There are 2 types in Africa. Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium. Mansoni lives in the terminal veins of the large bowel and haematobium lives in the bladder. However occasionally they get lost and go to the wrong place.

The male is flat like a piece of paper and the female a tube like any other worm. The male wraps himself around the female and swims down to the end of the vein. There they spend their entire life in permanent copulation, before dying of exhaustion after about 5 years. They are invisible to our immune system and do not do us any harm. However, all that copulation has its price and she lays lots of eggs. The eggs are supposed to work their way through the tissues into the bowel or bladder and are voided in stool or urine. Unfortunately, they also get lost and set up a vigorous immune response. This causes all the problems of Bilharzia.

  1. Swimmers itch is the red itchy rash you get a few minutes after swimming. It is an immune reaction to the cercaria, and is mostly due to avian schistosomes, not human.
  2. Local – You can develop granulomata around the eggs wherever they are, in the bowel and bladder mostly. However they can also damage the prostrate if you have one and all round the ovaries, tubes etc if you have those. Indeed one girl who thought she had a genital wart had in fact a Bilharzia granuloma. There are even stories of paralysis from granulomata in the spinal chord.
  3. Liver Damage – “Pipe stem fibrosis” is the classic liver damage from Bilharzia. I’ve never seen it. However, most people can expect a vague hepatitis sort of picture from inflammation of the liver; – nausea, discomfort and feeling generally unwell.
  4. Problems from circulating immune complexes. The first time you get it you may develop an acute fever, often with a cough. Safari itch, a red blotchy on/off rash is also common. After that, it mostly just makes us very tired, but can cause bizarre immunological symptoms such as arthritis. Children can become very tired, irritable and moody. They may drop behind in school. Teenagers simply become worse than usual.

How to get Bilharzia
This is easy, a lot easier than malaria. Simply swim, wade, water ski, sail or go skinny dipping at midnight in any of the main lakes. Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Malawi and Kariba are notorious. Lake Namugabu seems to have a low risk. Lake Bunyoni is safe. White water rafting is slightly risky.

The eggs are in the stools and urine of infected humans and are washed into the lake by rain, if not deposited directly. The eggs hatch into little larvae and penetrate the right species of water snail. That’s why we mostly have Mansoni in Uganda, because the snail host for the bladder type isn’t common in our end of Lake Victoria.

The larvae multiply in the snails, which release thousands of “cercaria” into the water. They only live about 36 hours, so need to find human skin very quickly. That’s why you don’t get Bilharzia from bath water or deep water, only around the edges where the snails live.

The cercaria penetrate intact skin – you do not get Bilharzia from drinking lake water. They wriggle through the skin, get into the blood and are carried to the liver. There the little boys and girls meet, how I’m not sure. Perhaps in intrahepatic discotechs and nightclubs. The male wraps himself around the female of his choice and swims off down the vein to the terminal veins of the bladder or bowel according to his species where they begin their 5 years of egg laying all over again.

Why are the local fishermen healthy?
Immunity. The adults are hidden from our immune system but we have an intense immune reaction to the eggs: hence the symptoms. These antibodies attack the invading cercaria and kill them. So our own egg laying females prevent re-infection from new cercaria.

So our first infection may be heavy and even dangerous. However the antibodies prevent new infection. As the adults die off after 5 years, we get fewer and fewer symptoms and eventually live in harmony with a few egg layers stimulating our immunity. Very few make it past the antibodies to replace the ones that die. This is called concomitant immunity and leads to a relatively safe and healthy equilibrium.

Treatment
If you don’t want to wait 5 years for equilibrium to occur, there is an alternative.

Praziquantel is safe and effective. It comes in “horse pills” of 600mg. We used to give 1 tab per 15kg but the most recent literature is advocating 1 tab per 10 kg, taken in 2 doses 4 hours apart with food. It makes you a bit dizzy and drunk for about an hour, which is why we suggest taking it 4hrs before and then 2nd dose with supper, and then going to bed.

If you do have Bilharzia then a single dose of praziquantel will kill most of them, but others may recover. There may be a fever, odd cramps and a general feeling of being unwell for 2 days after treatment as a reaction to the dead worms. 3 months later the survivors may begin laying eggs again with more symptoms of tiredness etc.

If you are leaving the country it is better to take praziquantel on 3 consecutive nights to make sure they really are all dead. If you are sailing every week, one option is to take 1 dose every 6 months or so or whenever you feel ill. That way the concomitant immunity continues to prevent re-infection.

Those who have been in and out of the lake for years and are perfectly well are in a state of equilibrium. In which case, do nothing.

Summary
Bilharzia is not a serious problem if treated sensibly. Water sports are good healthy exercise. My advice is go in the lake if you want, be ready for the first symptoms 6 to 8 weeks later, and take treatment. Children should be allowed to play in the lake, and should be given treatment 8 weeks after exposure and again every 6 months. Those leaving the country should take 3 doses on consecutive nights.

Why You Need to Change Career

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Are you fed up with juggling the same job every day? Do you dread going to work? Have you lost motivation for the job you previously did with passion? The fact is that there is nothing wrong with you, but with you. What you need is a career change.

George Apiro, the head of guidance and counseling at the Ministry of Education, however, says career change requires a number of strategies and decisions to take. “Career change doesn’t enable you to utilize your potential to another where you can utilize it fully,” he says. “This career should be able to respond to your inner most attitude, interest and social inclinations.”

Moving from one career to another is not a one-night decision. You need to carry out a lot of research in the new area you want to tread, and looking at who you are to re-discover yourself and interests. It involves looking at what you generally like and do not like, experts say.
According to Obed Niwagaba, a consultant at Development Planning Consultants, a career change may require re-training. “When you discover that you have potential for a particular calling and you want to change to it, you have to develop potential fully by training in that area,” he says.

Do you want to change your career but don’t know what to do? Don’t be discouraged. Niwagaba advises that apart from doing proper research, one must always have ‘plan B’ in case things don’t work out as hoped.

Explore new opportunities within your area of competence and expertise. A career guidance counsel can help you navigate the right field basing on your talents and interests. Besides, one can utilize the skills and experiences they have already gained. Apiro says there is always linkage to what one wants to do and what one has been doing.

“People, who change careers, do not move far away from the general category of what they have been doing. For instance a teacher of accounts can move to commerce, but accounting still remains a key area in his life. Though he may leave teaching, he might work in a bank as a cashier while practicing his accounting”.

However, sometimes people move from a broad career category to a completely new area, says Apiro. “This is often due to a blunder made at school. May be your career choice was interfered with by the interests of your peers, friends and teachers or family members.” To make a good career change in such a case, one needs to make choices considering his or her interests and capabilities.
Why people change careers.

Many people change careers when they find that their jobs have become routine. Some people want to find challenging opportunities. “Human beings are always looking for a challenge. That is when they are motivated to work harder.”
Niwagaba says that sometimes people change careers due to circumstances. “Forinstance, my original career was teaching. I had no intention of changing, but circumstances dictated that I change swiftly,” he says.
“I was a grade 2 teacher and the Ministry of Education announced that it was going to phase out grade 2 teachers. I decided to join secondary education to advance. As I was teaching, I had to study ordinary and advanced levels. Fortunately, I passed well and joined Makerere University where I studied SWASA. Thereafter, I had to change from being a teacher to an administrator.

Do a careful self-evaluation before you change your career as you might find yourself jumping from a pan into the fire. You should also avoid changing career due to your emotions. Apiro argues that when one changes their career due to emotions, they may end up being frustrated and hence, regret the career move. However, all hope should not be lost, in case things go wrong, you can revert to your former career.

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