Final day in Uganda

After getting up early and packing we just had time for an impromptu game of rugby with a couple of the locals (the Ugandans love football but not so much rugby so this was a real novelty for them) before our car turned up to take us back to Entebbe. We have met many good people in the hotel including two canadian physio therapy students who work in the local hospital; three Welsh Government workers here for an environment agency project (one of which has promised to come and do some work with our Eco-committee) and of course the other PONT groups. They all gave us a good send off and it was sad to leave, particularly as the journey ahead was so hot and long!

We once again stopped for a meal half way, this time in the town of Jinja (the second largest settlement in Uganda). Because of its proximity to the Nile, it was a lot more touristy than any other part we had been to and being white wasn't quite the novelty it had been in Mbale. After some really good food and a quick look around, we were once again on the road for the final leg of our journey.

We hit Kampala at the busiest time of the day so Abdul, the driver, took a different route through the outskirt slums. This was upsetting and really did highlight the poverty that so many Ugandans live in. You could see living just outside of a major city with no money was a lot dirtier and less hygenic than it had been in the mountain villages we had visited.

We arrived at Entebbe a little earlier than planned so used up an hour by visiting a nearby animal sanctuary. We had not seen a great deal of wildlife while in Uganda (with the exception of chickens, cows, goats and mosquitos!) so it was good to see a few more of the native animals, even if they weren't quite in their natural habitat. I think a safari will be on the cards if I ever get the chance to return. An hour was enough as the mosquitos and gnats in the park were biting hard. Within minutes we were at Entebbe airport and preparing for the flight home.

I have enjoyed every second of this fantastic experience and I hope many of you will get the opportunity to visit in the future. I left with mixed feelings - very much looking forward to being back at home and of course school, but sad to be leaving this beautiful, vibrant, exciting country with some of the warmest, most colorful people I have ever met!