Ngaali April-June Edition of 2023

Flyboarding Want to conquer the waves? Dubai's calm waters are ideal for beach lounging in style, but if you want to up the ante, book a session of flyboarding. This extreme sport, a combination of wakeboarding and kitesurfing, will see you propelled 10 metres above the water thanks to a powerful turbine. Suitable for everyone from novices to experts, you soon get the hang of balancing in the air and can hopefully master a few backflips. Try it with Sky & Sea Adventures, a leading watersports company with expert trainers. If flyboarding isn't your scene, you can also go scuba diving, parasailing and kitesurfing at the famous Kite Beach. Deep Dive Dubai This is the place to be for aqua enthusiasts. The recreational centre's 60.02m deep pool is officially recognised as the world's deepest swimming pool for diving. Aside from its remarkable depth, Deep Dive Dubai features other unrivalled additions such as a 'sunken city' alongside year-round diving courses and guided experiences. Keen divers of all levels, aged 10 and older, will be thrilled to explore its submerged expanses. You can play a game of pool or even book the underwater media room if you have an 'immersive' short film in the making! www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 51 DESTINATION DUBAI Desert Quad Biking Feel the sand whip across your face on a desert dune buggy or quad bike ride. Pared-back dune buggies are vehicles that are customised for high-energy thrills. With no doors, roof or windows, they feature a roll cage, a bucket seat with a safety harness, and extra suspension for tackling the sands at high speeds. Try it with Big Red Adventure, a tour operator offering a range of desert safari packages with morning, evening and overnight options, allowing you to tackle dunes that feature heart-stopping 45-degree slopes. Hiking, Biking And Kayaking In Hatta Hatta is the ideal destination for thrill-seekers and nature lovers who enjoy mountain biking, hiking and kayaking. Hit the highroad to discover the Hajar Mountain range, which is a 90-minute drive from Dubai’s Downtown. Hatta, once known for its fort and desert farms, now attracts a fleet of adventure sports enthusiasts. Check out Hatta Wadi Hub for activities such as mountain biking, archery and kayaking. You can also try out zorbing, where you roll down a hill enclosed in a transparent orb. If you want to enjoy the natural scenery a little longer, check into the Hatta Fort Hotel, or try glamping at the Hatta Damani Lodges and Hatta Sedr Trailers. Uganda Airlines makes direct flights from Entebbe to Dubai four times a week. For more information on these and other attractions in Dubai, go to www.visitdubai.com

I f you search for “Mogadishu” on Google, you will be flooded with horrible news headlines and graphic photos of death and destruction, mainly propagated by negative western media coverage which sees Somalia through a prism of war and terror. It is time for this dangerous single story to change. I encourage readers to go beyond the headlines and delve deeper into the nuances of the stories they read about my home country. To the outside world, Somalia is the “most dangerous” country, but to millions of other Somalis and me, it is a home and our future. The negative portrayal of the western media has not only shaped THE BEAUTY BEYOND THE CLICKBAIT HEADLINES Words by Dalmar Gure 52 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 DESTINATION MOGADISHU

people's perception of our country but also hampered our efforts to recover as a nation. It discourages investors, including the Somali diaspora which plays a key role in the reconstruction of Somalia. There is no doubt that Somalia is facing a tremendous security challenge. For 30 years, civil war and violence have plagued the Horn of Africa from warlords, rival clans and terrorist organisations that continue to spill the blood of the Somali people. However, you will only appreciate the other side of Somalia when you come and see it for yourself. WELCOME HOME I recently returned to Somalia after a long time, and I must admit, it takes courage to make the journey back home, but it is worth it. Everyone including my family advised me against going, but I insisted with a heavy heart. I had a tense feeling throughout the flight, but on approaching Aden Adde International Airport, the sense of nervousness was quickly replaced by the sight of the most beautiful landing view I have ever experienced! A pristine beach stretches along the runway, and a magical reflection of the blue sky - juxtaposed with bright sunlight, kisses the waves of the Indian Ocean. The airport is relatively small, and the queues can be long and chaotic, but there is law and order. “Welcome home,” a young bespectacled immigration officer with a quintessential Somali afro haircut told me as he handed my passport back. “Mahadsanid walaal,” (thanks brother) I replied and rushed to get my luggage. On the road to my hotel, almost everyone I saw was wearing a white thobe, walking in groups. It was more like an Eid celebration, but this is the mood on Fridays in Muqdisho. Businesses are closed, and there is less traffic on the roads. Everyone looked happy. It is those happy faces that know the secrets of the city. Most have never left the country; they witnessed all forms of horrors and lived through hell. Yet they still keep a straight face, knowing very well how far they have come and the light at the end of the tunnel. We don’t hear their stories. RECLAIMING THE NARRATIVE There is an inspiring story of 24-year-old Hanna, who told me how she paid her university fees by growing vegetables on her family farm outside the capital. “I studied Agriculture,” she said. “Farming was both a practical experience and a means to pay for my fees.” On a good harvest, she made enough to save for her fees and kept the surplus for domestic use. She plans to scale up her farming business and help eradicate poverty in Somalia. Everywhere in the capital, you will find incredible young people with extraordinary stories of survival, success, and determination. But we don’t hear their stories. The media reports the explosions that “rock Mogadishu” but they don’t follow up to report on the resolve of the people who, almost simultaneously, bury their loved ones and start picking up the broken pieces to rebuild their lives. Nevertheless, young Somalis are now reclaiming the narrative about their country and using social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook to showcase the other side of Somalia the media does not show. If you want to see their side of the story, type #Muqdisho (Somali spelling for #Mogadishu) on Google and see the kind of images that come up. While the English version, “Mogadishu”, brings photos of broken buildings and explosions, the Somali version, “#Muqdisho”, shows you beautiful images of new buildings, vibrant markets, inspiring people, paved roads and aerial shots that depict the hopes and aspirations of the Somali people. It is an uphill battle to change the negative stereotypes that the media has been feeding the world for the last 30 years. This is a challenge not only for Somalia but also for the African continent. It is time we tell our own stories. Uganda Airlines makes direct flights from Entebbe to Mogadishu four times a week. This story was adapted from Hiiraan Online (HOL), one of the most popular websites dedicated to news and information about Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Dalmar is the Chief Editor at HOL, which was founded by Ahmed Gure and has its headquarters in Ottawa, Canada. www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 53 DESTINATION MOGADISHU

54 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 DESTINATION SOUTH SUDAN T he Mundari are a small ethnic group from South Sudan, numbering between 70,000 and 100,000 people and indigenous to the Nile valley (Nilotic). Their main homeland is approximately 75 kilometres north of Juba and is bounded on the east by the White Nile, an important source of water for their livestock. The Mundari are agro-pastoralists. Their famous massive-horned Ankole-Watusi cattle are considered the ‘kings of the cattle’. They are part of the Sanga family of African cattle breeds which originated over 2,000 years ago from a combination of the Egyptian longhorn cattle of Africa and Zebu longhorns originally from India. In Mundari culture, and for many tribes of the region, cattle play an important role in religion, birth and marriage. They are symbols of wealth and power. Every life event includes a reference to cows, the lives of which can be sometimes deemed more important than those of humans. A person’s position in society is established through the ownership of cattle – the size and shape of the horns being the most important features. Traditionally, Ankole-Watusi cows are considered sacred, with an owner’s wealth counted in live animals. Joseph and Ursula Burgi are travellers, photographers, dreamers and explorers from Switzerland. They try to travel through truly off-the-beaten-track countries and destinations, sharing their experiences along the way. For more of their amazing photography, visit atimelessvoyage.com Mundari The Photo by Joseph and Ursula Burgi

www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 55 DESTINATION SOUTH SUDAN

56 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 Kinshasa, formerly Léopoldville, is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the third-largest city on the African continent after Cairo and Lagos. Perched on the southern banks of the immense Congo River, it overlooks the city of Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, directly opposite. The two are the only two capitals in the world that face each other this way. There are numerous experiences to be had in Kinshasa, but the bustle and infectious vibe of this city means just walking the streets and watching the world go by can be an experience in itself. The city bears witness to a rich music history. With 15 million inhabitants, it is a city of great cultural diversity and is considered the cradle of Congolese rumba, a popular genre of dance music shaped by many international influences. Music is to Kinshasa a shared social practice and a key enabler of intercultural dialogue and social cohesion To the east of the city, the river divides and meanders through small islands, but just to the west, one finds rocky rapids, giving the Congo both a peaceful and somewhat dangerous character. The city's botanical gardens are a lovely place to have a stroll surrounded by beautiful, lush nature. You can hire a guide to show you around or hire a bike. Le Marche des Valeurs is a great place to see African-inspired art and haggle with the merchants. Uganda Airlines makes direct flights from Entebbe to Kinshasa thrice a week. STAY @ The Pullman Grand Hotel Offering magnificent views over the Congo River., this 5-star is located in the Gombe area of the city of Kinshasa. With luxurious modern rooms and suites, the hotel has 3 restaurants and bars serving international, gourmet and Mediterranean cuisine. Kinshasa Golf Club is 3km away while N'Djili International Airport is located 2.5km from the hotel. EAT @ Restaurant d'Vins It is not very frequent that you would come across a restaurant that does great Tex-Mex, pizzas, pasta and meats set in a quaint outdoor - poolside breezy ambience. The food never disappoints and caters to all types of diners - including vegetarians. VISIT Parc de la Vallée de la N'sele Go for a Kwafrika Travel 3-day Congo River and N’sele Park package. The park is being populated with more animals representing the biodiversity of the Congo. It boasts lions, impalas, zebras, okapi, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, rhinos, and elephants. After seeing the animals, you can enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on the Congo River. The Cradle Of Congolese Rumba

www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 57 DESTINATION KINSHASA GOMA This likeable border town on Lake Kivu is unlike anywhere else in DRC. It is considered the capital of the Northern Kivu province and one of the largest after Kinshasa. Goma is a very busy city because it is a major trading route for goods going to Congo. It also hosts a large number of UN and other international humanitarian organizations. Having been almost wiped off the map by the eruption of the nearby Nyiragongo volcano in 2002, Goma has done much rebuilding in the past decade and a half, and as a result, it has an attractive centre. People generally visit Goma en route to tracking mountain gorillas, climbing Nyiragongo or trekking in the Rwenzori Mountains. The city itself has no proper attractions, but it's a great pre- and postVirunga hang-out, with some excellent sleeping and eating options.

58 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 Mombasa town overlooks a wide harbour where commercial shipping mingles with traditional sailing dhows. The true heart of Mombasa is found in the exotic old town, among the narrow winding streets and Arab architecture. Modern Mombasa is a city of great diversity and life. This is a town where all are welcomed and quickly absorbed into this great coastal melting pot. Uganda Airlines makes direct flights from Entebbe to Mombasa thrice a week. EAT @ Galaxy Chinese Restaurant Located on the island, it is run by a real Chinese family and serves amazing food. It is based on Hainanese recipes. You must try the fish in garlic sauce, sticky ribs, fried rice, whole steamed fresh fish and black pepper crab. STAY @ Neptune Beach Resort This elegant hotel offers all the comforts of home and maintains an open air feel due to its large reception and hallways. It is very popular and offers very good service in a family atmosphere. DON’T FORGET TO enjoy Skydiving In Diani Discover what it means to fly during a tandem skydive over the beach! Tandem skydiving allows you to experience the thrill of free fall and a magnificent canopy flight over the coastline without any significant training. Here, every jump is a beach jump… Dolphin Seafaris A full-day excursion to the Kisite Marine Park and Wasini Island offers you the opportunity to experience dhow sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, fine seafood dining at Charlie Claw’s, relaxing by our Lazy Lagoon pool and dolphin spotting in the tranquil settings of the Wasini Channel.

COMFORT. LUXURY. SOPHISTICATION. Neptune Hotels is a leading hotel group in East Africa. We operate 7 hotels: 4 beach resorts and one safari camp in Kenya, one resort in Zanzibar and a lodge in Tanzania. We take the utmost care to deliver the highest standard of service for total customer satisfaction. Our teams are trained to the highest standard to ensure you have a stress free and memorable holiday. Our aim is to exceed your holiday expectations by offering you the best resorts and safari camps at the best locations. Book a minimum of 45 days prior to arrival and spend less. This offer is valid at all Neptune Hotels. All Neptune Hotels are Covid compliant. +254 716 016 000 | [email protected] | www.neptunehotels.com

COMFORT. LUXURY. SOPHISTICATION. Neptune Hotels is a leading hotel group in East Africa. We operate 7 hotels: 4 beach resorts and one safari camp in Kenya, one resort in Zanzibar and a lodge in Tanzania. We take the utmost care to deliver the highest standard of service for total customer satisfaction. Our teams are trained to the highest standard to ensure you have a stress free and memorable holiday. Our aim is to exceed your holiday expectations by offering you the best resorts and safari camps at the best locations. Book a minimum of 45 days prior to arrival and spend less. This offer is valid at all Neptune Hotels. All Neptune Hotels are Covid compliant. +254 716 016 000 | [email protected] | www.neptunehotels.com It is nestled in the heart of the exclusive Masai Mara North Conservancy. Immersed in the original bush among indigenous plantations and trees, the 20 luxury tents directly overlook the Mara River, which winds itself around the camp with gently flowing waters surrounded with wildlife and teeming with large groups of Hippos. Enjoy an al fresco lunch or evening BBQs around the pool, as you watch the Masai dancing and talking about their culture. Set on 50 acres of virgin Tanzanian bush in the Ngorongoro volcanic landscape, this all-suites log cabin style retreat is located a few steps from the Game Reserve Gate and is 20 minutes’ drive away from the Ngorongoro Crater, said to have the most dense concentration of wildlife in Africa. The property features 20 spacious private cabins with a fireplace, a restaurant, a bar and conference facilities. Relax at the swimming pool or at the Earth & Rain Spa after a full-day game drive. +254 716 016 000 | [email protected] | www.neptunehotels.com

This is the ideal choice if you are looking for that “special touch”, and the finest of details. The luxurious resort was meticulously created to emulate traditional Zanzibari style using the best in local design, interiors and furnishing to meet top international standards. The 190 deluxe and 4 master suites all offer Indian Ocean views. It is located North East on Zanzibar’s best beach on the Kiwengwa shoreline, 45km from The International Airport and Stone Town. Set in a beautiful tropical garden and totally renovated in 2016, the 92 rooms are in makuti roofed cottages with only 4 rooms per unit. Restaurants and bars form a perfect match between hotel and nature and offer a real African atmosphere. The resort is located at the South Coast at the famous Diani Beach. Mombasa town is 40km, Moi International Airport 45km, with the Ukunda Airstrip only 8km away. +254 716 016 000 | [email protected] | www.neptunehotels.com

This is the ideal choice if you are looking for that “special touch”, and the finest of details. The luxurious resort was meticulously created to emulate traditional Zanzibari style using the best in local design, interiors and furnishing to meet top international standards. The 190 deluxe and 4 master suites all offer Indian Ocean views. It is located North East on Zanzibar’s best beach on the Kiwengwa shoreline, 45km from The International Airport and Stone Town. Set in a beautiful tropical garden and totally renovated in 2016, the 92 rooms are in makuti roofed cottages with only 4 rooms per unit. Restaurants and bars form a perfect match between hotel and nature and offer a real African atmosphere. The resort is located at the South Coast at the famous Diani Beach. Mombasa town is 40km, Moi International Airport 45km, with the Ukunda Airstrip only 8km away. +254 716 016 000 | [email protected] | www.neptunehotels.com Seated at Diani beach, this 165-room gem is a perfect match between resort and nature thanks to makuti roofs all through. It is one of the widest beachfront hotels in Mombasa. A 4-star-plus boutique hotel set in beautiful tropical gardens on a prime beachfront location at Diani Beach, South Coast. The 60 rooms are in makuti roofed cottages with only 4 rooms per unit. Located at Bamburi Beach, the special highlight is the lush garden area and the new terrace with a view of the Ocean. There are many quiet areas throughout the resort including the newly created “coffee shop” to offer you calm and relaxation. +254 716 016 000 | [email protected] | www.neptunehotels.com

64 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 CULTURE

www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 65 CULTURE For many, the Forbidden City is a time capsule for China’s past and an educational place for the public to learn and appreciate the history and beauty of this ancient culture. L ocated in the centre of Beijing, the Forbidden City was the imperial palace of China's emperors for five centuries and is one of the most beautifully preserved examples of ancient Chinese architecture. Enclosed by 3.5km of citadel walls, this Unesco-listed city is China’s largest and bestpreserved collection of ancient buildings – large enough to comfortably absorb the 16 million visitors it receives each year. It is the world’s largest palace complex, big enough to hold 50 Buckingham Palaces. The entire complex is filled with palaces, gardens, courtyards, and living quarters. It was built by the Yongle emperor, the third Ming ruler (who reigned from 1403-1424). He declared himself emperor and consolidated his power in Beijing, moving the capital some 620 miles from Nanjing in 1403. Sources say it took 100,000 artisans and a million forced labourers to build the Beijing complex between 1406 and 1420, on the site where Kublai Khan had once built his famous palace. After its completion in 1420, the Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors, their families and servants during the Ming (1368 – 1644) and the Qing (1644 – 1911) dynasties. The last occupant (who was also the last emperor of imperial China), Puyi (1906 – 67), was expelled in 1925 when the precinct was transformed into the Palace Museum. Measuring 961 metres in length and 753 metres in width, the Forbidden City is composed of more than 90 palace compounds including 98 buildings and is surrounded by a moat as wide as 52 metres. The moat has an artificial water

66 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 CULTURE source called the Golden River. The layout follows the principles of feng shui (the art of placing objects and buildings to promote positive energy). The palace complex is aligned north-south and is symmetrical to emulate the balance of the universe. Public and domestic spheres are divided in the Forbidden City. The southern half, or the outer court, contains spectacular palace compounds of supra-human scale. This outer court belonged to the realm of state affairs, and only men had access to its spaces. It included the emperor’s formal reception halls, places for religious rituals and state ceremonies, and also the Meridian Gate (Wumen) located at the south end of the central axis that served as the main entrance. Upon passing the Meridian Gate, one immediately enters an immense courtyard paved with white marble stones in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian). In the Ming dynasty, officials gathered in front of the Meridian Gate before 3 a.m., waiting for the emperor’s reception to start at 5 a.m. While the outer court is reserved for men, the inner court is the domestic space, dedicated to the imperial family. The inner court includes the palaces in the northern part of the Forbidden City. Here, three of the most important palaces align with the city’s central axis: the emperor’s residence known as the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqinggong) is located to the south while the empress’s residence, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunninggong), is to the north. The Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union (Jiaotaidian), a smaller square building for imperial weddings and familial ceremonies, is sandwiched in between.

www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 67 CULTURE IT TOOK 100,000 ARTISANS AND A MILLION FORCED LABOURERS TO BUILD THE BEIJING COMPLEX BETWEEN 1406 AND 1420.

68 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 CUISINE Almost everyone loves a good barbecue, but South Africans take it to a whole new level with the braai, which, in their culture, is practically a national sport. I f you have spent any time around a South African, there’s probably a good chance that you’ve heard them mention doing a “braai” (pronounced “bry”). To put it simply, it is the South African equivalent of an American barbecue. A common (and very frequent) practice in any South African household, a braai is a fundamental part of South African culture and is a gathering of friends and family around a wood-fire grill in celebration. The braai is an essential part of South African culture and brings family and friends together in celebration of everything from birthdays to graduations to engagements and national holidays. It’s a moment to come together to share good food and feel the love around the fire. The word ‘braai’ is Afrikaans, originating from the Dutch word ‘braden’ which means ‘to roast’. The beauty of the braai is that it’s not specific to any one cultural group in South Africa, and it transcends the country’s turbulent past to bring the nation together. This special feast can last for

www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 69 CUISINE hours, and there are plenty of rules and etiquette around a classic braai. The most important part of a braai is the fire. A traditional braai is cooked on local wood, while modern-day braais use charcoal instead, but both give the meat a distinct flavour. Using gas to cook doesn’t count as a real braai. Once there are enough hot coals, a grill is placed over the top and the meat is barbecued to perfection. Even once the food has been cooked, the fire is fed throughout the braai, as the social centrepiece of the event. Using wood to create fire is practically considered an artform in South Africa and even the type of wood used can make a difference to the braai. For example, kameeldoring (camel thorn) burns slowly and gives good heat and coals, while wingerd (vine wood) burns very fast and doesn’t give lasting coals, but is great for giving aroma and flavour. The host of the braai is usually in charge of choosing the wood and tending the fire. Guests will often gather around the fire with a drink, chatting and mingling, while the host or the ‘Braaimaster’ cooks the meat. There’s a common saying: “Jy krap nie aan ‘n ander man se vuur nie” which means “You don’t mess around with another man’s fire!” A braai includes any meat you can imagine! Lamb, beef, chicken, pork, springbok, warthog, ostrich, eland, kudu, seafood, steaks, and boerewors. Almost nothing is off-limits at the braai! Each piece of meat is marinated and grilled perfectly and served with side dishes like salads and desserts. Besides the meat is the humble braai hero, braaibroodjie, or ‘braai bread’. This crowd favourite is a sandwich made from two slices of buttered white bread, filled with tomato, cheese, onion, and chutney, and placed on the grill. It’s kind of like a toasted sandwich, but so much better because everything tastes better when cooked on the fire! And to wash it all down? It’s got to be the best local wines and beers, or even brandy and coke, known as karate water. South Africans rarely need an excuse to have a braai. In many cases, families will host a onceweekly smaller braai (even a breakfast braai) and do a bigger braai on special occasions. No matter the time of day, the day of the week, before or after work, rain or shine, braais can and will happen. So, if you are going to have a braai, do it whenever you feel like it!

What is it about islands? We associate them with buried treasure, footprint-free beaches, swaying palm trees, lapping waves and carefree days wiled away under a life-giving sun. Imagine staying in some of Uganda's most undiscovered, pristine environments. Completely private and removed from the rest of the world. Where authenticity of the experience, without compromising on standards, is the key. Where there is a goal of both protecting the environment and giving back to the local community. Brovad Sands Lodge enjoys an idyllic location amidst lush tropical greenery on a completely unspoilt island. Tucked away on the charming island of Bugala in Kalangala, it sits on 5 acres on the white sand beach of the Ssese Islands. After a winning renovation, the lodge is the finest getaway in the area, providing first-class beach accommodation that blends well with the traditional hospitality of the native Ssese Islands. With a variety of rustic and tastefully finished rooms and suites —a family villa, a diplomatic suite and a variety of 33 en suite cottages in various configurations, there’s a choice for Brovad Sands Lodge An Idyllic Drop On Lake Victoria almost everyone. Here, guests get to relax and unwind on their own stretch of beachfront, where simple but luxurious cottages peep out onto unblemished sands. Thatched dining and sitting or bar areas boast beautiful open views of the beach and spectacular vistas of Ssese and beyond. The fully-fledged restaurant and bar serve a variety of local and international dishes, liquors, beers and cocktails. Exuding the essence of Uganda's richness, history and soul - fresh, locally produced, wholesome and natural; the overall food theme is one of barefoot beach simplicity. Each culinary experience is prepared according to individual tastes and served at a time and location that suits each guest perfectly. The lodge has venues ideal for conducting business, weddings or any other functions. At the Spa, guests will partake of exclusive offers for massage and sauna. The exclusive honeymoon package comes with lots of romantic extras. Because islands are so far from cities and are generally quite difficult to get to, change comes slowly to them and they tend to be melting pots of whichever cultures lived there in the past. One of the charms of island life is the slower pace and 70 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 ROOM WITH A VIEW

laid-back attitude – Africa is, after all, the originator of the phrase ‘Hakuna Matata (no worries or no problem). When on vacation, it's best to go with the flow and hop on your bike or horse. It may take a little longer, but you’re bound to have more fun. The lodge is home to various bird species and offers guided nature and village walks to the various villages on Kalangala Islands. Guests get to visit the local communities and various artefact shops for souvenirs. HOW TO GET THERE The MV Brovad is a spacious sailing boat able to accommodate 70 passengers in comfort and style. Whether it's a romantic escape, group trip, party cruise or weekend getaway, the boat has professional and personalised services to cover your needs. It operates both scheduled and private boat trips. Visit their website @ https://www.mvbrovad.com or email them @ [email protected] The government-owned MV Kalangala ferry leaves Nakiwogo Landing Site in Entebbe at 2pm every day. Contact Brovad Sands Lodge for more information on how to get there. Entebbe Airport is 60km from the property, and airport transfers are available upon request. For more information about the lodge, visit their website https://www.brovadsandslodge.com www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 71 ROOM WITH A VIEW

FENG SHUI Have you ever noticed how people use architectural or home terms to describe the problems in their lives? I’m running into a brick wall. I’m so drained all the time. I feel like I’m backed into a corner. How we discuss our lives is often very easily described with words that correspond directly to our environment. Your perception of your environment can determine how you think and behave in life. And that’s where feng shui comes in, as a tool to help you design a space that makes you feel good, powerful, and supported in your health and wellness goals. To the uninitiated, feng shui can feel a little esoteric, but if you take the time to dig into the philosophy behind it, you'll find that it's based on simple common-sense practices that make our homes healthier and more organised. FOR CHI CREATE GOOD ENERGY FOR YOUR HOME Feng shui is not about transforming the structure of a home, but about making our homes evolve with us. Though nearly imperceptible, these small tweaks can have a profound impact on our daily lives. WHAT IS FENG SHUI? Feng shui is the Chinese practice of trying to create balance with the natural world in our interior spaces. It uses energy forces to create harmony between an individual and their environment. We bring you some actionable tips on how to incorporate them into the home. SPRUCE UP YOUR ENTRY In feng shui, your entry represents how energy enters your home and your life and is the first place to start. Declutter and remove any debris. A lot of objects tend to accumulate at the front door. It doesn't need to be empty; just relatively uncluttered. Finally, make sure this space is welllit and bright. Add lighting or change the bulbs. CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS Windows symbolise the eyes of the adults in the home; for children, it's their voice. Clear, clean 72 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 HOMES

windows let in more sunlight, which naturally energises and wakes you up. Light makes the home more expansive, vibrant, and energetic. Clean windows metaphorically help you see the world around you with colour, clarity, and precision. GIVE YOUR DOORS SOME ATTENTION In feng shui, doors represent your voice and communication. They are also portals through which opportunities can come into your life. Ensure that all your doors can open to at least 90 degrees. When there is a bunch of clutter behind a door, it can't open all the way. This blockage means you can only receive a portion of life's opportunities. There are parts that you're closing yourself off to. PLANTS FOR ENERGY In feng shui, plants embody life energy and connect to nature, bringing vibrancy into a home. Green plants are like fresh-pressed organic green juice for your home; they introduce freshness and vitality. Green, vibrant plants are one of the key feng shui items for the home. REMOVE OBSTACLES Are the most frequent routes in your home - say, from the bedroom to the bathroom - free from tripping hazards? Is there an end table you bump into every day? Think about how you move through your space and try to make the paths as clear as possible. If this inspires a major rearrange, you probably needed it. It is important to clear obstacles from your path and make your flow as easy as possible. TIP In feng shui, house direction is important. Since light, in essence, represents energy, south-facing is the most advantageous house direction for light, chi (energy) absorption and family harmony. www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 73 HOMES

74 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 BEAUTY Queen Beauty Hacks For A Everyday Have you ever flipped through magazines or newspapers and wondered how certain people have mastered their beauty routines and flawless skin despite hectic daily schedules? These easy beauty hacks and little-known skincare tips will help you get that glowing skin and gorgeous hair you love… all without breaking the bank!

www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 75 BEAUTY 1 Ditch Chemical-Based Makeup Removers Do you know how many chemicals go into the making of a makeup remover? Many with sensitive skin end up suffering from different problems like blotchy skin and patchiness due to these chemicals. For this natural makeup remover, you will need half a cup of aloe vera gel, two tablespoons of coconut oil and half a cup of raw honey. Take equal proportions of raw honey and aloe vera gel and mix it well to form 1 cup of cleanser. Add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil to this cleanser and mix it to form a paste. Use a small portion of this paste on your face and rub it gently in a circular motion. Clean it off with water after a few minutes. This homemade remover will take away all your makeup in one go. Note: Make sure you use an aloe vera gel which doesn’t contain preservatives. 2 Always Have Vaseline On Hand The amazing makeup hacks using vaseline are very helpful. These beauty tips work for everyone and are amongst the most useful DIY homemade hacks. A homemade lip-gloss: Mix Vaseline with some food colour to create the perfect natural product that feels light and natural. Eyelash thickener: Apply Vaseline on a mascara brush and spread it on your eyelashes to make them fuller and thicker without too much makeup used. Scrub: Mix Vaseline with coffee, sea salt or sugar for the perfect household scrub. Scent catcher: Apply Vaseline before spraying perfume for the scent to last longer. 3 Get Rid Of Dark Circles And Puffiness Working late nights, stress, anxiety, lack of hydration, etc, all lead to the formation of dark circles as well as puffiness. Though these can be hidden using makeup, there is an effective homemade remedy that can naturally reduce their appearance. To make a paste, shred a cucumber and mash a banana to form a paste or a face pack. Apply this under your eyes and over your eyelids and leave it on for 5-10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and witness the change! 4 Adios, Smelly Hair A day in the sun can give you hair full of sweat. What's worse, it is likely to get smelly, but don't worry as the solution lies in your scent that doesn’t require anything other than your hairbrush and perfume. For good-smelling hair, spray perfume on your hairbrush and brush your hair. It doesn’t get any simpler than this. 5 Dampen Your Beauty Blender Spray your blender with water first to better dab the foundation or concealer all over your face. Its elliptical shape will help you access hard-to-get-to areas, for example under your eyes and on the sides of your nose, and give you a streak-free and flawless finish. 6 Use Dry Shampoo This is every lazy girl’s dream product. Perfect for in-between wash days, a good dry shampoo extends the life of your hairstyle by getting rid of any greasy buildup. Plus, not to mention all the time you save before walking out the door. Dry shampoo is a must-have for every girl’s kit. 7 Blow-Dry Your Face If you're too impatient to wait for your moisturizer, toner, and self-tanner to dry, or for your makeup to set, blast your skin with a blow dryer on the cool setting. Certain products (toner, tanner) need to dry completely before you move on to your next step when getting ready, and a blow dryer can help speed up that process. 8 Homemade Lip Colour Mix a crumbled eyeshadow with petroleum jelly to make your own lip colour. If you don't want to waste an entire eye shadow but think the shade would work better for a lip colour, crumble it up and mix it with petroleum jelly for your own custom lip shade. Store it in a small tester container. 9 Add Concealer To Lipstick Want to transform a regular lipstick into a matte show stopper? Apply a little bit of concealer to your lips before applying your lipstick. This simple trick transforms any regular lipstick into a matte bombshell.

FASHION 76 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023

www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 77 FASHION Suubi By Seamline Atelier SEAMLINE ATELIER is a collective fashion brand born out of the walls of Record Fashion School, a Kampala-based incubator for fashion designers. The brand, which swears by its stance towards sustainability, is intent on using fashion to send strong messages through its work, and ‘Ssuubi’, their new collection, is no different.

78 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 FASHION ABOUT THE COLLECTION Featuring upcycled school uniforms, ties, geometrical sets, sweaters and socks, Ssuubi explores the question of the current education system/ curriculum being a plausible solution to unemployment. According to research done by the World Bank, only 5 percent of African graduates hope to get jobs after spending 20 years preparing for formal employment.

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80 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 ART 80 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023

Home Of Consistency And Beauty Words by Edgar R. Batte IF SHE DESIGNS A JEWELLERY PIECE AND SOMEONE COPIES IT, SHE WILL REDO IT. www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 81 ART J alia Muwanga is living her dream of making uniquely beautiful jewellery, a fascination that started when she was a young graduate at Makerere University pursuing a degree in industrial fine art, along with her husband and business partner, Daniel Matovu. Jalia runs Ajuna Uganda, a leading art enterprise. She fancies the good things in life and knows what is in vogue, and is keen on fashion trends and designs. "I go to the USA every year to shop for trending items. I also visit some of the companies that inspire me, especially the ones that sell handmade jewellery, like Anthropologie. I look at magazines and media, and every year, my team and I have a conference with people who sell these products to monitor the trends." With her consistency and admirably beautiful products, Jalia has become an inspiration to many designers and goes the extra mile to stand out. If she designs a jewellery piece and someone copies it, she will redo it. In coming up with and developing her designs, she puts her creativity on paper by drawing and painting on books, which she then cuts out as swatches. "I put the swatches together and choose colour combinations and blends before I add the materials. When I am working, I have all the metal chains, gold pieces and swatches of colour. I look at the piece, try it on, and assemble it using beads. I'll look at it thrice and try it on to see if it's durable. If I don't like it, I won't sell it," she explains. Jalia sources materials like cowrie shells, beads, clasps and ear wires from St. Balikuddembe Market and Majestic Plaza in Kampala; and high-class chains from the USA and Dubai. 90 percent of the products are made from paper beads - handmade paper and glass beads with tassel accents and different tones. The rolling of the paper beads takes a lot of labour, and the business target is to make up to 20,000 units of jewellery every week, so her staff are trained to pay attention to detail. She prefers to employ the less privileged, especially women. Ajuna products are exported to the USA, where their partner, Noonday Collection, takes charge of business. Ajuna, named after Jalia's firstborn, Ajuna Zoe, means God's benevolence. The name also celebrates the couple's growth from impoverished and humble backgrounds. In effect, they are using their story to give back and provide a respectable source of livelihood to women from backgrounds that they are familiar with. "The journey of Ajuna Uganda started in a small workshop in our house at the African Bible University Society. Missionaries would come to our home and buy art products. Our home was like an art gallery," she muses. One of their missionary clients was an American who went back to the USA, exhibited the products and reached out to seek a partnership. That's how Ajuna made contact with the US-based Noonday, which designs and sells a collection of jewellery and accessories made by artisans across the globe. The company started with 40 staff in 2009 to 120

“I LOOK AT THE PIECE, TRY IT ON, AND ASSEMBLE IT USING BEADS. I'LL LOOK AT IT THRICE AND TRY IT ON TO SEE IF IT'S DURABLE. IF I DON'T LIKE IT, I WON'T SELL IT” 82 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 ART ART in 2010 and 500 by 2013. By 2015, the number of women who reported to work with their children had grown in number. There were about 80 children at the workshop because the mothers did not have a place to leave them. "Many were the age of six and below. We started a daycare and preschool called Ajuna Kindergarten & Daycare Centre and put the children on a scholarship program using part of the profits from the company." However, the outbreak of Covid-19 had a dire effect on the company's financial prospects. Many of the staff were laid off and the number of children on the kindergarten scholarship program was reduced. It was very saddening. Currently, they have 120 staff at their workshop in Lweza. In her business sojourn, Jalia has learnt many lessons. "Sometimes artists do not know how to price things well. We only consider the material and labour and forget the time invested. I have learned good pricing and how to calculate overhead costs, labour and taxes. I learned to make quality products, especially for the finishing part. I have learned to move with the dynamics of fashion. When we started, we used to make very big beads but people are now wearing more metals and small beads." "We want to uplift the image of artisans and would like our business to have a social impact," she concludes.

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84 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 ANIMAL KINGDOM

T he mandarin duck (Aix Galericulata) is considered one of the most beautiful birds in the world because of its stunning plumage, which is made up of an array of colours - a red bill; purple breast; crest of black, green, blue, and copper; and goldenorange wings. But there's more to this species than just flashy feathers. Whether it's their complex courting ritual or their cultural significance, there's a lot to know about the mandarin duck. They are native to China, Japan, Korea, and eastern Russia, but populations can be found across Europe and the United States. However, this expansion did not happen naturally. The ducks were imported in the mid-18th Century because of their beautiful colours. Mandarin ducks are famous for being monogamous, meaning they mate for life. Because of this, they have become a symbol of love and fidelity for couples in China, Japan, and Korea. It's common for a pair of figurines of these ducks to be gifted to newlyweds, and they are often utilised as a feng shui cure to help maintain a healthy relationship. Like many other bird species, mandarin ducks perform a specialised courtship routine. The males shake, bob their heads, mock-drink, and mock-preen, all while raising their crest and orange "sail" feathers to show off. Despite being generally quiet creatures, they also incorporate sound into their courtship in the form of a whistling call. Newborn mandarin ducks are daredevils. A mother lays her eggs in the hollow of a tree up to 30 feet from the ground, but after the ducklings hatch, they quickly need to get to water. The newborn creatures can't yet fly, but that doesn't stop them from finding their way to the ground. With the mother mandarin down below offering encouraging calls, each duckling leaps, launching itself out of the tree's hollow and free-falling to the ground. Grass and fallen leaves cushion their fall, and the baby mandarins emerge unharmed. This species is not hunted for food because they taste bad, which has consequently helped them survive. Mandarin Ducks A Symbol Of Love And Fidelity www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 85 ANIMAL KINGDOM

86 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 TRENDS Oversized Bags Although the industry has enjoyed playing with micro bags for the past few seasons, for 2023, the saying "bigger is better" definitely applies. Bracelets For a formal look, something metallic and luxurious like a silver chain or a beaded bracelet with metallic details is a great choice. For a casual look, try a macrame bracelet, a leather anchor bracelet, or a beaded one. Shield Sunglasses Protect your eyes most stylishly. These are not just a unique twist on standard eyeglasses, but they also appear as if they came right out of Blade Terminator. Crossover Shoes Blur line between dressy and casual. There’s still a time and a place for classic sneakers and lace-up boots, to be sure, but if you want to put some spring in your step, then try hybrid footwear this year. New-season accessories are a talking point already, so be fashion-forward, and don't miss out on being ahead of the game. These trends are a must-have whether you are recreating your style or being true to who you have been. Corsets The Victorian-era corset looks aren't going anywhere. The trend has been seen recently on celebs worldwide and we love the tight-to-the-body, smocked corset dresses with that sexy yet cool look. The Revenge Heel The kitten heel is out and the revenge (a.k.a. platform) heel is in. Take the trend further by going for one with a sultry lace-up detail. Ballerinas While we all might not be able to do pirouettes or chassés, ballet flats and Mary Janes will be a hit for a while. Think punchy colours, pretty metallics and chic Parisian style at its very best. Cutouts Love it or hate it, they are here to stay. Whether it’s a keyhole in the front of a shirt or a dramatic waist situation, you’ll be seeing even more of this controversial trend in 2023. Bling Rings Understated jewellery is timeless, but this year, big and bold is on. That means large, signet rings - and bonus style points for those with a flash of colour or a gemstone in them. Suit Accessories Think ties, bow ties, pocket squares, cufflinks, tie clips, lapel pins and everything else that a classy man uses to complement his suit game. Fashion Accessories

88 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 NG’AALI KIDS

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90 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 Inflight Entertainment MOVIE PICKS NEW R E L E A S E S Adventure Fantasy Drama THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES Bilbo fights against a number of enemies to save the life of his Dwarf friends and protects the Lonely Mountain after a conflict arises. Release Date: December 4, 2014 (USA) Director: Peter Jackson Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage BLOCKBUSTER CL ASSICS HOLLYWOOD CL ASSICS Dysfunctional Family Action Adventure Fantasy Courtroom THE JUDGE Years after he returns to his hometown, Chicago-based lawyer Hank Palmer decides to fight the case for his father, Joseph, an adjudicator who is accused of murder. Release date: October 8th, 2014 (USA) Director: David Dobkin Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shepard, Billy Bob Thornton BLACK ADAM After being granted with the divine power of the Egyptian Gods and spending almost 5000 years in a guardhouse, Black Adam is freed and he decides to unloose his own style of justice to the world. Release date: October 21, 2022 (USA) Director: Jaume Collet-Serra Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, Marwan Kenzari, Quintessa Swindell, Pierce Brosnan

OUR BEST travel book RECOMMENDATIONS The success of any great travel book can be measured not in awards, but miles. And sometimes, reading a travel book can be as transformative as the journey itself. SAFAR By Sarah Malik Safar is the Urdu and Arabic word for ‘journey’. Through a series of interviews with Muslim women from different backgrounds, Sarah Malik delves into the emotional and spiritual aspects of travel with often moving results. HOME IS NOT A COUNTRY By Safia Elhillo This powerful novel-in-verse captures one girl, caught between cultures, on an unexpected journey to face the ephemeral girl she might have been. Woven with moments of lyrical beauty, this is a tender meditation on family, belonging, and home. EVERYTHING THE LIGHT TOUCHES By Janice Pariat A journey across continents as the centuries intertwine in a multilayered saga of the lives of four unique characters, taking us to Italy, India’s northeast and the Himalayan forests on journeys that change the lives of its protagonists forever. BORN IN A SECOND LANGUAGE By Akosua Zimba Afiriyie-Hwedie An exploration of African and female identity, navigating what it means to be in-between identities, languages and homes and how those in-between spaces brush up against each other, and are in themselves, a home too. IF YOU DON’T LIKE TO READ, YOU HAVEN’T FOUND THE RIGHT BOOK. J.K. Rowling www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 91 BOOKSHELF

STEPHEN CUNLIFFE Visited: Multiple times Based in South Africa, Stephen is a travel writer and avid conservationist whose work appears in prestigious magazines such as Africa Geographic and Travel Africa. While primates top the safari agenda here, Uganda is home to much, much more… Spilling out of gigantic Lake Victoria, the White Nile offers world-class whitewater rafting at Jinja and further downstream the impressive Murchison Falls thunder through one of the country’s most scenically spectacular national parks. Uganda also lays claim to Africa’s highest mountain range, the Rwenzoris, along with some of the region's more uncrowded and attractive wildlife areas. In my opinion, Uganda’s greatest safari attraction remains hidden and undiscovered in a far-flung corner of this diverse country. Unknown to all but the most committed and adventurous safari-goers, the wild Kidepo Valley beckons to wildlife enthusiasts looking for an off-the-beaten-track safari experience in a world-class park that they can call their own. From Queen Elizabeth National Park, the country’s premier safari destination, in the east, to the remote wilderness savannahs of Kidepo National Park in the northwest, there is little doubt that Uganda truly has it all. MARK EVELEIGH Visited: Multiple times Mark is a travel writer who grew up in Africa and has written over 700 titles for CNN Traveller, Travel Africa, BBC Wildlife and others. He is from the United Kingdom. Uganda has everything that her more famous neighbour Kenya has...plus such once-in-alifetime sightings as gorillas and chimpanzees. Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls are justifiably the country’s biggest draw cards but if you have time, head for Kidepo Valley National Park (in the far north, bordering Sudan). I hesitate to make such a rash statement (with so much of Africa offering so much incredible safari potential... and with so much of it that I am still to see), but if I was pushed into a vote, I would say that Kidepo is probably the most stunning national park in all Africa! PHILIP BRIGGS Visited: Multiple times Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa. Uganda’s central attraction is the opportunity to track one of the world’s last surviving mountain gorilla populations on the misty green slopes of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga National Park. This is arguably the ultimate African wildlife encounter: the simple exhilaration attached to first setting eyes on one of these gentle giants is difficult to describe. These are enormous animals – a male silverback weighs three times as much as the average man, and its bulk is exaggerated by a shaggily luxuriant coat – but they are also astonishingly peaceable, with the initially disconcerting but ultimately winning habit of staring deep into the eyes of human visitors, with soft brown eyes that appear to be seeking out some sort of connection. True, that magical hour with Uganda’s gorillas is relatively expensive and the trek up can sometimes be hard work, but in almost 30 years of writing about Uganda, I have yet to meet anybody who has gone gorilla tracking and regretted the financial or physical expens 92 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 The best way to know what to expect from a destination is to seek what the experts say. Below are five travel experts who have visited Uganda over 5 times and what they think about it. Reviews

Storage Solutions Turnkey Projects Prefab Portable Buildings We Build It Structural Steel Works STUART BUTLER Visited: Multiple times Stuart is a travel writer and author of numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. It’s been said by better people than me (Sir Winston Churchill for one, who famously described Uganda as “The pearl of Africa”), that Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. As far as I am concerned, it’s one of the most beautiful countries in the world and I don’t just mean it’s physically beautiful. The people themselves, who seem permanently to smile, are as beautiful and welcoming as the landscape. Funny then that Uganda has yet to make it into many a tour company brochure and, as one Australian tour operator told me recently, “Many people think Uganda is a dangerous place”. I couldn’t disagree more. Every time I’m lucky enough to visit this lush and green country I have an immense feeling of happiness come over me. Uganda might not have the great herds of the wildlife of neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania but this is a country that rewards in so many other ways. It’s fairly small which means that within only four or five hours of landing at Entebbe airport you can be in a rainforest tracking habituated chimps, watching a lion prowl a golden savannah-scape or put-puttering over the waters of Lake Victoria to the idyllic Ssese Islands. It’s geographically and climatically diverse: you can shiver through the snow fields of the Rwenzoris, more romantically known as the Mountains of the Moon, one day and drive across an arid semi-desert landscape in the northeast the next. It’s friendly, safe and ethnically diverse. And, for East Africa, it’s cheap. Entry to the national parks is generally much lower than that of neighbouring countries and for around €70-100 you can score yourself a bed in a beautiful hotel, guesthouse or lodge. So, if you’re looking for a safari destination that offers pretty much a bit of everything but that still retains a sense of the unusual then Uganda is unlikely to disappoint. Oh, and if all that weren’t enough there are the mountain gorillas as well…

94 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 TRAVEL TIPS Travel scams are real, and avoiding them requires a lot of common sense and a healthy dose of suspicion. I n many large cities across the globe, thieves hunt from the shadows. Crooked opportunists take many shapes and forms and while your time abroad will probably be spent incident-free, it is vital to be prepared. Be wary when it comes to people offering you freebies or intimidating you in a touristy setting. Below are some universal scams to avoid. THE TAXI OVERCHARGE This is one of the most common travel scams in places where Uber and the likes of it don't operate. Either the driver will tell you the metre is broken and try to overcharge you or you’ll see it run faster than normal. To avoid this scam, you need to know how much a ride should cost. Always ask the hotel staff what a ride should cost so you have a frame of reference. Negotiate a price upfront or ensure the metre is working before you get into the taxi. Make use of your smartphone's Google maps and let the driver know you understand the most direct route to your destination. Lastly, avoid unlicensed cabs no matter how great the offer is! THE HOTEL SWITCH This also happens with taxi drivers. They will tell you that the hotel you are going to is overbooked or “bad”, then take you to a different one where they receive a commission for delivering new guests. Avoid this by calling ahead to ensure your hotel is not overbooked, or simply insisting that the driver take you to your original hotel. THE BUMP AND GRAB This method is most popular on trains and buses. Victims of this method are often swarmed by several people who are pushing them, while at the same time picking their pockets. Another trick is to grab the purse of someone standing/sitting near the door and get off the train or bus just as the doors are closing. The best way to avoid this is to stay one step ahead of the thief. First – spread out all your valuables; never keep all your important documents, cards and/or your passport in one place. Never put a wallet or anything of value in either your front or back jeans pocket. Always opt for cross-body purses with zippers, not flimsy one-button purses. Pay attention whenever you are bumped on a subway, bus or in the street; always grab the zipper of your bag. FAKE SECURITY OFFICIALS Every so often on trains and in the streets, you will come across fake officials who ask to see your documents. To get them back, they ask for a bribe. Sometimes, a person will approach a tourist and offer illicit items, like drugs. While conversing, one or two other people will approach, appearing to be police officers and flashing “badges.” They will then insist you hand over your passport and wallet. Don’t ever hand over your documents if you feel that something is fishy. Instead, ask them to take you to the police station, or tell them that your passport is locked up in the hotel and they’ll need to accompany you there. If they don’t allow this, simply walk away.

www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 95 TRAVEL TIPS THE FLIRTATIOUS WOMAN You arrive in a new country and head to a bar, where a beautiful local comes up to you for a chat. You have some drinks and an amazing conversation and go to a new bar or club that she suggested. However, after a wild night and lots of drinks, the woman disappears and you’re forced to pay an overpriced bill with some really big guys bearing down on you to make sure you do. Or worse, you get drugged and wake up robbed. Be wary of such women. THE MONEY NOTE SWITCHEROO The shopkeeper or taxi driver gives you less change than you are supposed to get. Or they quickly switch a 50 for a 5 and claim you haven't given them enough. You approach the foreign exchange booth and during the changeover, the clerk switches similar notes and you end up with less than you paid for. Make sure you check your money before you leave a place and don't let them rush you during the process. You must keep your eyes peeled, as many currencies have denominations which appear similar in colour and design. Never accept torn, worn or damaged notes. They can be difficult to get rid of later. Also, when handing over a big note, say out loud how much it is. THE CREDIT CARD SKIMMING SCAM Skimming devices are ubiquitous all over the world. They’re installed in ATMs in touristy spots, stalls, shops, and taxis. These work by copying your card’s details, which can then be downloaded and either used online or to reprint a fake card. Fewer people use ATMs nowadays, given that tapping your card on a terminal is becoming prevalent everywhere. If you can, tap away. If not, use an official bank’s ATM located inside a branch, during opening hours. This is also a fail-safe tactic in case the machine eats your card for whatever reason. If the bank is open, you can immediately retrieve it by showing your passport. THE SPILL ON YOUR CLOTHES There you are, minding your own business, and someone spills something on you. Ruins your day, but accidents happen, right? They are profusely sorry and offer to clean it up, dabbing the stain, and apologising. While you are flustered, they are picking your pocket. By the time you realise what has happened, they are long gone. Beware of people encroaching on your person, especially in deserted areas. If this happens, push people away and clean it up yourself. CAN I TAKE YOUR PICTURE? As much as an outstretched arm or a selfie stick can capture the surroundings, there is nothing like a wide-angle shot taken by another person. Cue the cunning camera thieves. If someone offers to take a group photo for you out of the blue, think twice before handing over your smartphone or camera, because they might quickly disappear with it. In a similar scenario, someone will ask you to take a photo of their thieving group and will purposely drop the phone as they’re handing it to you. You’ll be blamed for the drop and now you’ve got a whole group demanding you pay compensation. If you’re ever going to ask a stranger for a photo, fellow tourists and group tour guides are usually a good bet.

96 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 GETTING AROUND 1.Transfer to the city/your hotel Thanks to reliable Internet at the airport, it's possible for you to order an Uber ride to your next destination in Kampala or Entebbe. If you are in a hurry, you can take advantage of the availability of the many cabs at the airport whose drivers are always stationed at the arrivals terminal, ready for a win-win bargain with travellers. 2.Visa Visitors to Uganda must have a valid visa in accordance with national immigration laws, guidelines and formalities. Uganda visas can now be obtained online at https://visas.immigration. go.ug/ Alternatively, you may obtain the visa at Uganda's missions abroad or on arrival at the ports of entry around the country’s borders. The costs of visas are as follows: Single entry $50 per individual, multiple entry visa 6-12 months $100 and East African tourist visas cost $50. Accompany your application documents with a valid yellow fever certificate. For more information, visit https://visas.immigration.go.ug/ 3. Nationals who don’t need visas Nationals of the following countries don’t need visas when visiting Uganda: COMESA (Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe and Botswana), East Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi), others (Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Ghana, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga and Ireland). IMPORTANT CONTACTS EMERGENCY CONTACTS Uganda Ambulance Services: Mob +256782556878 Medical Flight Evacuations: Mob Aero Club, Fly Uganda Mob +256772712557 Uganda Police: Emergency 999/112. UPF Headquarters +256414233814; +256414250613. Department of Immigration: Mob +256414595945 OTHER CONTACTS Uganda Wildlife Authority (manages national parks): +256414355000/+256312355000 Uganda Tourism Board: +256414342196/7 TRAVEL GUIDE Welcome To The Pearl! GENERAL INFORMATION Voltage The primary wall outlet type is Type G (BS-1363). Voltage is 220-240 volts AC @ 50 Hz. Laptops and gadgets in general have chargers that are already compatible with 100-240 volts. If yours is higher or lower, you will need a simple plug adapter. The recommended adapter for a Type G outlet is #EA7. Security Uganda’s towns are safe to visit any time of the year. This development has been achieved through effective collaboration of the different security organs like the army (Uganda People’s Defence Forces), Uganda Police and Tourism Police. That said, like any other city, Kampala too has its share of trouble makers. It is thus not advisable to walk alone in isolated areas, especially at night. Water It is safer to drink boiled or bottled water. The average price of bottled water is Shs1,000 per 500ml. Transport The easiest and fastest way to get around cities is boda-boda rides; a motorbike mode of transportation that offers taxi services - each is limited to carrying one passenger. The most professional service provider in this case is Uber Boda, Safe Boda and Taxify, all of which can be accessed via their mobile phone applications. If you prefer using vehicles/cabs and wish to avoid traffic, the recommended time for travel is 6am to 8am, 10am to12pm and 3pm to 5pm. Language Uganda is home to over 50 ethnic groups, the majority of whom speak the national language, English. If you wish to get interpreters of foreign languages, visit the website of your country’s high commission / embassy in Kampala. Financial transactions The most used currency is Uganda Shillings, the national currency. Tourist areas and facilities accept foreign currencies too, particularly US dollars. Cash is the preferred means of transaction in Uganda. Credit cards are less dependable because of unreliable internet connection in some areas. Forex The foreign exchange rates at forex bureaus are more favourable than those at banks. The main street of most towns is where you will find the highest concentration of forex bureaus. In Kampala, go to Jinja-Kampala road. Banking and office hours Most commercial banks and corporate offices operate from 8am to 5pm on weekdays and 9am to 12pm on Saturdays. Most don’t open on Sundays.

www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 97 ALGERIA 14 John Babiiha Avenue Kololo 0414 232918; 0312 265212/3 [email protected] AUSTRIA 6 Hill Lane Kololo 0414 235796/0312 515865 [email protected] BELGIUM Rwenzori Towers 0414 349559 [email protected] BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION 4 Windsor Loop Road T: 0312 312000 [email protected] BURUNDI 14 SM Chambers 0414 235850 [email protected] CANADA 14 Parliament Avenue 0414 258141/0414 348141 Kampalacanadaconsulate.ca CHINA 37 Malcolm X Avenue Kololo 0414 231095/0414 255881 [email protected] CUBA 10 Lower Kololo Terrace K.A.R 0414 233742 [email protected] DRC 20 Philip Road Kololo 0414 250299/0312 823321 [email protected] DENMARK 3 Lumumba Avenue 0312 263211; 0772 221470 [email protected] EGYPT 4 Lower Kololo Terrace 0414 254525/345152 [email protected] ERITREA 49b Upper Kololo Terrace 0414 342625 [email protected] ETHIOPIA 3L Kitante Close 0414 348340/341881 [email protected] EUROPEAN UNION 15th Floor Crested Towers 0414 701000 Delegation-Uganda@eeas. europa.eu FRANCE 16-18 Lumumba Avenue 0414 304500/510 ambafrance.kampala@ diplomatie.gouv.fr GHANA 6 Kalekezi Close Kololo Hill Drive 0773 718672, 0772 408765 tomburukuku@yahoo co.uk GERMANY 15 Philip Road Kololo 0414 501111 [email protected] GREECE M289 Ntinda Industrial Area 0414 286961 [email protected] HOLY SEE (VATICAN EMBASSY) Chwa 11 Road Mbuya Hill 0414 505619; 0772 221167 [email protected] ICELAND 3 Lumumba Avenue 0312 531100; 0414 341079 kampala[at]mfa.is INDIA 11 Kyadondo Road Nakasero 0414 259398/344631 [email protected] IRAN 8 Moyo Close Kololo 0414 505727 [email protected] IRELAND 23 Yusuf Lule Road 0417 713000 www.embassyofireland.ug ITALY 11 Lourdel Road Nakasero 0414 250442 [email protected] JAPAN Plot 8 Kyadondo Road 0414 349542 [email protected] KENYA 8A Elgon Terrace Kololo 0414 258235/6 [email protected] LIBYA 28 Prince Charles Drive Kololo 0417 700700 [email protected] MOZAMBIQUE 4 Kampala Road Orient House First Floor 0414 251184 [email protected] NETHERLANDS 2 Nakasero Road Rwenzori Courts 4th Floor 0414 34 6000 [email protected] NIGERIA 33 Nakasero Road 0414 233691/2 [email protected] NORTH KOREA 10 Prince Charles Drive Kololo 0414 343424 [email protected] NORWAY 18B Akii Bua Road Nakasero 0417 112000 [email protected] PAKISTAN 3 Ministers Village Friendship Rd 0392 940285, 0703 632301 [email protected] RUSSIA 28 Malcolm X Avenue Kololo 0414 345798 [email protected] RWANDA 2 Nakaima Road Kitante 0414 344045 [email protected] SAHRAWI Ntinda Muwafu Curve 0312 299456 [email protected] SAUDI ARABIA TWED Towers, 6th Fl. Wing B 0313 340616/7 [email protected] SERBIA 98 Luthuli Avenue 0414 235733; 0414 232858 [email protected] SOMALIA 16 Nile Avenue 0414 257460 kampalaembassy.gov.so SOUTH AFRICA 15A Nakasero Road 0417 702100 [email protected] SOUTH KOREA 14 Ternan Ave, Nakasero 0414 500197 [email protected] SOUTH SUDAN 12 Sezibwa Road Nakasero 0414 230272 [email protected] SPAIN 27 Baskerville Avenue 0414 342372 [email protected] SUDAN 21 Nakasero Road 0312 261358 [email protected] SWEDEN 24 Lumumba Avenue 0417 700800 [email protected] SWITZERLAND 6 Archer Road Kololo 0414 233854 [email protected] TANZANIA 6 Kagera Road 0414 256272 [email protected] THAILAND 10 Kalitunsi Road Bugolobi 0414 253664 [email protected] TURKEY 9 Elgon Terrace 0772 222121, 0414 500182 [email protected] UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Yusuf Lule Road 0312 203119 [email protected] USA Nsambya Ggaba Road 0414 259792 [email protected] DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS

98 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 DIRECTORY Kampala is reported to be among the fastest-growing cities in Africa. Mercer (a New York-based consulting firm) has regularly ranked Kampala as East Africa’s best city to live in. Few cities across the African Continent can rival the happy life of Kampala and some have branded it “the city that never sleeps”. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is the governing body of the capital city and administers on behalf of the Central Government subject. KCCA is led by The Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, and a city council. Kampala is divided into five divisions (Central, Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa and Rubaga), each headed by a popularly elected Mayor. For more information about Kampala, visit www kcca.go.ug 1: VISAS AND PERMITS To enter Uganda, one can apply online. A single-entry visa costs 50 USD while an East African Multiple entry 90-day visa costs 100 USD and covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. Visitors should apply through their first East African country of destination. For Uganda, apply through www.visas.immigration.go.ug Employee Work/Entry Permit All non-Ugandans interested in doing business in the country are required to have an entry permit. Application is made online at www.visas.immigration.go.ug. The document permits one to live and work in Uganda and should be sponsored by an employment agency or organisation with an Organisation Code. For inquiries, visit www. visas.immigration.go.ug Passports As of April 2021, all Ugandan nationals will be required to use the new East African passport. Uganda travel documents are processed and issued only by the Government of Uganda through the Directorate of Immigration Control (DCIC) and at three Ugandan Missions abroad: Washington DC (USA), London (UK) and Pretoria (South Africa). There are Passport Control Offices in Kampala, Mbale, Mbarara and soon, in Gulu. The main office is at the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Plot 75, Jinja Road. The others are located at the RDC Building Mbarara; the Regional Administration Block Mbale; and Gulu is soon opening. There are also Regional Immigration Offices that act as passport Application Collection Centres, where you can take your passport application for processing and collect a ready passport. These include Jinja, Masaka, Fort Portal, Arua, Hoima, Masindi, Lira and Gulu (soon to become a fully functional Passport Control Office) For more information on the East African Passport and how to process it, visit mia.go.ug; Plot 75, Jinja Road P. O. Box 7191, Kampala Tel: +256 414 595 945 e: [email protected] Uganda National ID Every Ugandan national is mandated to have a National ID processed by NIRA. The mandate of NIRA is to create, manage, maintain and operationalise the National Identification Register by registering all citizens of Uganda, registering non-citizens of Uganda who are lawful residents in Uganda, registering births and deaths, and assigning a unique National Identification Number to every person registered. For more information on this process, visit nira.go.ug; Plot 16, Upper Kololo Terrace, K’la Tel: 0800 211700; +256 312 119 605 THE CAPITAL 2: TAXATION All Ugandans and foreigners who carry on business or are employed in Uganda are subject to the tax system, provided they derive income from sources in Uganda. Every individual that is liable to pay tax is obliged to apply to the Uganda Revenue Authority for registration. Once this process is concluded, a certificate of registration is issued. For more information, visit www.ura.go.ug 3: UGANDA POLICE FORCE UPF’s mandate is the protection of life and property, prevention and detection of crime, keeping law and order, and maintenance of overall security and public safety in Uganda. In case of any danger or insecurity, please call the numbers below. Emergency 999/112 UPF Headquarters 0414233814; 0414250613 UPF Press Office 0414289791; 0414289790; 0800199899; 0414288864 Counter-Terrorism Unit 0800199699; 0800199139; 0800122291 Professional Standards Unit Toll-Free Lines 0800199199; 0800199299; 0800200019 Central Police Station Kampala 0800122291 CID Dept 0800199499 Fire Brigade 0421222; 0714667752 Operations 0414256366 For telephone contacts of Regional Headquarters and all districts, and any other information, visit upf.go.ug

www.ngaaliinflightmag.com 99 4: WHERE TO EAT Visit www.tripadvisor for candid reviews of the best eateries in all the major towns of Uganda. 5: WHERE TO STAY Uganda is home to a wide selection of hotels. For a list of the best hotels ranked from 2 to 5 Star status, visit www.ugandahotels.org. Office: Suite No 304, BMK House Wampewo Avenue, K’la Tel: +256 784 287 465 e: [email protected] 6: NIGHTLIFE KAMPALA Cafesserie Acacia Mall, Kisementi Tel: +256 776 012 777 www.cafesserie.com Mythos Greek Tavern and Lounge Plot 18 Impala Road, K’la Tel: +256 793 999 666 www.mythosuganda.co.ug Otters Bar Plot 15 Ngabo Road, Kololo Tel: +256 785 206 417 www.otters-bar.business.site The Alchemist Bandali Rise, Bugolobi Tel: +256 777 194 006 www.thealchemist.ug H2O Lounge Plot 13A Kololo, Tel +256 758 514 789 For more top bars and clubs in K’la, visit www. top-rated.online/countries/Uganda/cities/ Kampala/Bars+and+Pubs JINJA For top bars and clubs in Jinja, visit https://ug.africabz.com/jinja/bar ENTEBBE https://www.top-rated.online/ countries/Uganda/cities/Entebbe/ Bars+and+Pubs/top-rated 7: BANKING Banks in Uganda are supervised and governed by the Bank of Uganda, which is the central bank of the country. It is a government-owned bank that was established in 1966 to promote price stability and foster a sound financial system. It is also responsible for promoting macroeconomic stability. The average opening hours of banks in Uganda are 8.30am to 5pm from Monday to Friday and 9am to 12pm on Saturdays. On Sunday, banks are closed, but Stanbic Bank opens from 9am to 12pm at Acacia Mall in Kamwokya; Housing Finance Bank, Kololo 9am to 2pm; Absa Bank Acacia Mall 10am to 12pm. However, all bank ATMs are operational every day of the week, 24 hours. Top Banks In Uganda Housing Finance Bank Stanbic Bank DFCU Bank Centenary Bank Standard Chartered Bank Absa Bank Bank of Baroda Equity Bank Citi Bank Eco Bank KCB Bank Bank of Africa How To Open A Bank Account You will need a passport size photo and if Ugandan, a valid National ID; if nonUgandan, a valid passport and visa; and if a refugee, a refugee ID issued from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. You can walk into a bank of your choice and start the process. Banks in Uganda offer online banking and most provide the option of opening an account online. Do visit the website of the bank of your interest and follow the guidelines. Private Banking Your bank will advise you on managing your finances for both retail and wholesale banking needs at a premium. The benefits include hastened turn-around time, bulk transaction discounts, quick and reasonably priced overdrafts, loans, bank guarantees, etc. For more info on banking and forex in Uganda, visit www.bou.or.ug, or call +256- 414-258-441/6; +256-414-258-060/9; +256-414-259-090; e: [email protected] FOREX RATES APRIL 1, 2022 UGX Shilling Exchange Rate Australian Dollar Australia - 2478 Swiss Franc Switzerland - 3790 Euro EU - 4014 British Pound UK - 4747 Hong Kong Dollar Hong Kong - 450 Japanese Yen Japan - 30.4 American Dollar US - 3506 There are several forex bureaux at Entebbe International Airport, and for a list of major ones in Uganda and their addresses, visit www.yellow.ug/companies/forex-bureaus 8: TELECOMS Currently, the major Telecoms in Uganda are MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda. However, many others provide this service. Uganda Communications Commission is mandated to manage all telecoms in the country. For a full list, visit ucc.co.ug. H/Q - UCC House, Spring Road Bugolobi Tel: 0800 222777 toll-free Off: +256 414 339 000/+256 312 339 000 [email protected] 9: EDUCATION IN UGANDA Education in Uganda consists of three levels of varying length: seven years of elementary, four years of lower secondary, and two years of upper secondary education. Elementary education is the only compulsory level, and, since the introduction of UPE, is free for all Ugandan children aged six to 13. English is the basic language of education used in Uganda schools. In addition, schools complement this with Swahili and French. There is a range of nursery/kindergarten, primary and secondary schools and universities in Uganda, both local and international. For more in-depth information about the education system in Uganda, visit https://www.education.go.ug/fact-booklet/

100 NG'AALI APRIL - JUNE 2023 DIRECTORY Address: Ministry of Education & Sports Legacy Towers, Kyadondo Road, Block A & B Tel: +256 417 893 600 (General) +256 417 893 615 (P.R.O) e: [email protected] For information on international schools, visit www.international-schoolsdatabase.com 10: HEALTHCARE LICENSED COVID TESTING CENTRES Test And Fly Labs: Imperial Mall Entebbe Peniel Beach Hotel, Airport Road, Ebb Regency Plaza - Lugogo By-Pass K’la Tel: +256 708 850 000 Off: Plot 22 Yusuf Lule Road K’la Tel: +256 313 306 900 e: [email protected] Kazuri Medical Centre Entebbe International Airport Tel: +256 752 222 855 [email protected] Lancet Laboratories Uganda Main Lab - Nakasero Hill, Plot 1 Kyadondo Road, K’la Tel: +256 414 341 621 www.lancet.co.ug For a full list of accredited testing labs, visit https://www.health.go.ug/cause/ accredited-laboratories-to-carry-outcovid-19-testing-in-ug MAJOR HOSPITALS Mulago National Referral Hospital Largest and oldest Government hospital providing varying in-patient and outpatient all-round specialist services to Ugandans and non-Uganda residents since 1913. Mulago Hill K’la Tel: +256 414 700 000 e: [email protected] www.mulago.or.ug International Hospital Kampala The only COHSASA accredited hospital in Uganda and one of only two in East Africa. Plot 4686 Barnabas Road Namuwongo, K’la Tel: +256 312 200 400 e: [email protected] Emergency: +256 772 200 400 Emergency: +256 712 200 400 Nakasero Hospital Plot 14, Akii-Bua Road, Nakasero Tel: +256 414 346 150/2/4 e: [email protected] www.nakaserohospital.com Case Medical Centre Plot 69-71 Buganda Road Tel: +256 414 250 362/0312261123 Whatsapp: +256 701 250 362 Kampala Hospital Makindu Close, Kololo Tel: +256 312 563 400 e: [email protected] Ruby Medical Center Kampala Lugogo By-Pass, K’la Tel: +256 39 323 6444 e: [email protected] Kampala Independent Hospital Location: Ntinda Tel: +256 752 109 149 e: [email protected] Medipal International Hospital John Babiha (Acacia) Avenue Tel: +256 41 7 799 900 e: [email protected] www.medipalhospital.com Lacor Hospital, Gulu Tel: +256 790 915 167 WhatsApp: +256752 458 055 e: [email protected] e: [email protected] www.lacorhospital.org Mbarara Regional Hospital Mbarara, Western Uganda Tel: +256 784 902 234 Ambulance: +256 770 000 000 Nile International Hospital Jinja Scott Road, Walukuba, Jinja Tel: +256 777 956 162 e: [email protected] www.nih.co.ug KIU Teaching Hospital Ishaka Mbarara - Bushenyi Rd, Ishaka Tel: +256 779 647 201 e: kiu.ac.ug PAEDIATRIC Potter’s Village Kisoro Immunization clinics, in-patient wards for children up to the age of 12, a special care nursery for premature and sick newborn babies, a rehab centre for children with disabilities, nutritional rehab. e: [email protected] Children’s Medical Center Bandali Rise, Bugolobi Tel: +256 703 677 500 e: [email protected] www.cmc.co.ug Keserena Children’s Clinic Kira Road, Bukoto, K’la Tel: +256 772 381 162 e: [email protected] The Children’s Clinic Naalya & Ntinda, K’la Tel: +256 771 333 620 Baylor Children’s Hospital New Mulago Gate Road Tel: +256 417 119 100/200 e: [email protected] www.baylor-uganda.org GYNAECOLOGY Roswell Hospital The Medical Hub Yusuf Lule Road K’la Tel: +256 039 321 7854 e: [email protected] Bethany Women Hospital Tel: Ebb +256 757 002 071 Tel: Luzira +256 200 903 746 e: [email protected] Women’s Hospital International & Fertility Center Bukoto, K’la Tel: +256 772 520 248 e: [email protected] www.womens-hospital.net