Live your life like a a book that people will want to read.

 Live your life like a book that people will want to read.

A week before Christmas, I attended the book launch of 'Prof. William Senteza Kajubi: The Man and His Legacy,' authored by Dr. Jones Kyazze, a retired international civil servant and active rotarian.

In 2011, I remember holding several conversations with Prof. Kajubi where he shared about his journey to the University of Chicago in 1952, where he went to study as Africa's first Fulbright scholar.

He talked about the Jim Crow laws at the time and even though it was clearly difficult, most of the conversations were about the vast opportunities that the scholarship presented.

His reaction to any harsh situation would be, 'That is highly regrettable.' I don't remember any cuss word or profanity from Prof. at all.

Having served twice as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and as Chair of the Uganda Symbols Committee that created the National Anthem and National Flag, he was also a father of 9, amongst them 3 sets of twins.

On top of his achievements, he was highly time conscientious, dignified and exemplified work ethics.

Let's live our lives like a book that deserves to be read.

Weddings in Kigali

 Weddings in Kigali

To experience the regal nature of weddings, you should attend an introduction and wedding ceremony in Kigali. I had that privilege when my husband was a best man in December last year, 2024. 

It was just a week before I dyed my hair purple-there was no need to accentuate my lavender coloured mushanana at the time.

Again, meticulous streets, an air of fastidious and intentional living and the breath of industrious individuals, churning a new country for themselves.

Heaven Gardens: The name enhanced the painstaking care of the ceremony venue. The capital city of Rwanda is truly the gift that keeps on giving. On that delight Thursday morning, we left our apartment as early as 6:30am, straight to the venue whose name reflected its stature. 

With lavish apartments beside it, the gardens, about nine in total, were truly a testimony of all things that are possible with flowers and plants. The beauty of those gardens would cause anyone’s heart to skip a beat or two. So well adorned with well-trimmed hedges, colourful array of large and small flowers and plenty of trees. Even the hilly terrain would not stop a few guests and I from taking strolls as we leaned in at every inch of the we-inspiring view. 

To imagine that such floral care is possible in almost every country in the world. We should be able to see more masterful care like this. 

The introduction ceremony began at about 11:00 am, with a well decorated hall. The decorators and caterers were extremely polite and had clearly invested so much time into their work. What’s a kuhingira without dancing! What makes the dancing more magnificent is that it looks easy until you try it. One of the dancers tried about fifteen times, showing me how to gracefully twist my arms like a disjointed graceful swan. It’s not for everyone.

With all formalities out of the way, there was even more dancing. And I noticed that the groomsmen looked particularly debonair, in their traditional clothes that took a detailed amount of time to put together.

I have been to a fair share of  introduction ceremonies but never one with such an elaborate feast. Times have changed! With all the stories that Rwandans do not eat at festivities. We ate to our hearts’ content.

Immediately after that, the bridal team changed and we moved to a smaller room for the wedding service. It was straight to the point, conducted by a Kenyan-based pastor, which then ushered us into photographs and the reception, another extraordinary affair.

Touring Kigali, which is what I have done several times, is far different from attending a wedding. I am glad I did.

Bless.

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

The furthest corner of Uganda-Kidepo Valley National Park

 The furthest corner of Uganda-Kidepo Valley National Park

Our family trip to Kidepo Valley National Park, which took 14 hours by road, including all the stops for refreshments and stretching, is a story of the ages. All the built in anticipation reached so many climactic ends, that by the time of arrival, we were already filled.

    

View outside Mara Safari Lodge              Tour ride to the game park

   

Emmanuel Nsengiyunva and Sam Akera                        View outside Mara Safari Lodge

   

   

Beverley and Cavine Anek                                   Beautiful plant species

About 410 km from Kampala City the trip took us by a spectral storm. Thankfully, Karuma Dam was opened, we were able to view the gushing foamy waters, until we finally reached the farthest corner of Uganda, in the North east, Kaabong District. 

Mara Safari Lodge, even at night, is a sight to behold. Surrounded by endless acres of savannah grasslands and several species of acacia trees, it is like a picturesque canvas for anyone to dream their life upon. 

The story of Mara Lodge is just as enthralling. We met Samuel Akera and Cavine Anek, the directors and proprietors of Mara Lodge and with both of them sharing vast experiences in the development world, they developed a plan to support their early retirement. That is how Mara Safari Lodge was born. They had already invested in conservation by planting acres of trees in various parts of Uganda, tourism was an addition to their entrepreneurial spirit. Mara has multiple meanings, including, ‘How are you?’ a way of greeting, which explains the lodge’s name.

The view from the lodge is too much to take in at once, with the sunrise illuminating the mountains that border South Sudan and Kenya, illuminating the paw prints of the lions that walked at night and the ashes from the bonfire. With a welcoming staff and crisp freshness all around, Mara Lodge offers perfect accommodation, the rooms set as close to nature as possible, clean, well-organised and devoid of clutter.

Sunrise at Mara Safari Lodge                              Kidepo Valley National Park

The game drive. Being the third largest game park in Uganda, we drove just over three hours. There are two valleys in Kidepo. Narus is on the southern side and Kidepo is on the northern side, with more animals, because of the availability of water. We were on the southern side, Narus valley. 

Herd of buffalo                                                                          Herd of elephants

There are plenty of animals, each with a tale of its own. The water bucks are believed to have been the first animals to sit on the toilet, explaining their white buttocks.

Zebras are white and black to regulate temperature. The stripes are unique like fingerprints, giving each zebra its own identity.

The buffalo kept appearing and reappearing through the savannah, almost regal.

The elephants of course are so majestic and unmatched in their stateliness. With the matriarch taking care of the little ones, we waited for a bit, to allow them to cross the path which they had temporarily blocked.

Giraffes are always a beautiful sight, munching their food from the trees, with ease.

The warthogs, the ‘pumbas’, with their suspicious looking tails and frisky behaviour are so adorable. 

Kidepo Valley National Park is so inspiring. It is a perfect family holiday and an opportunity to see a part of Uganda that many people do not venture, because of the distance. It is worth it. It is close to paradise. 

Written by Beverley N Nsengiyunva