Back to the beginning

My departure date is approaching once more, and this time we will embark on a journey together. Our destination: Uganda. The country that altered everything and turned our lives upside down.

We took a Matatu (collective taxi) in the morning from Kisumu to the border, which is less than two hours away. Busia is a border town between Kenya and Uganda. My boyfriend was the first to organize an entry passport, which simply states that he is Kenyan and should be granted entry into Uganda. 

We went to the control building, accompanied by a supervisor who walked us through the entire process. When we had completed all of the necessary paperwork, it was time for me to leave. It was more difficult than I expected because border officers asked why I hadn't gotten a visa for Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda right away. I informed them that I wanted to do this, but the process did not go through at the time. They didn't believe me, so I explained everything again, and my boyfriend confirmed everything because he knew it was the truth, and he also knew the visa story. After a long debat, I finally received my exit stamp. Next, we were constantly told that I could apply for my visa at the border. This was not the case. I should have applied for the visa online beforehand. The border officer was initially quite tough, which was understandable. However, she eventually became more accessible and friendly to us. When she finally dared to ask if we were a couple, we had won her over. She gave us the helpful tip that I should apply for a visa when we returning, because the border officers may question everything again, and having my visa would be an advantage. When we finally left the border building, I thanked her again and she even waved to me and smiled at me. 

In Uganda, we returned to a Matatu and drove four hours to Kampala, the country's capital. We sat in front with the driver and had free sight. Uganda is very green and fertile. This state provides food for itself, Kenya, and the Congo. I am not surprised. We passed a rice field after the next one. Road conditions in Uganda are slightly worse than in Kenya, and the driving style is even more extreme. 

I have my history with this country and I didn't know what it would be like to come back. I actually had very mixed feelings and needed something to get warm with the country again. As soons as we crossed the Viktoria Nile in Jinga, I was enthusiastic about the country once again. 

After at least five police checks and no difficulties we were not actually caught out again at the end of the trip to Kampala. This time, however, we again had a very strict police officer, who wanted to arrest our driver, because the insurance of the car had expired and the car was no longer in the best condition, but still went super and perfectly. The driver also drove extremely safely and had an extra-class reaction speed. We were parked on a parking lot and while we waited, everything was speculated. 

Of course I stood out again as a white person, and it didn't take long for a beggar to come straight to me. My boyfriend stood between the two of us and another passenger stood next to my boyfriend. That's what I mean when I say that everyone here helps everyone and I didn't even feel uncomfortable, because even if my boyfriend hadn't stood in front of me, the passenger would have gone in between. I moved away from this situation and helped a mother with her few months old child our of the Matatu. I took over the screaming child and a few minutes later it slammed at me and became quite calm. Of course, then photos were taken and I held the baby until the driver came back and we could sit back in the car. Everything turned out positive again and we arrived healthy and cheerful to our destination.