Uganda

My first trip to the African continent was an adventure to say the least. Traveling on a Catholic pilgrimage with a bunch of white retirees as an atheist was interesting and more of a challenge than any culture shock waiting for me in Uganda. I mention both white and retirees for a reason. Most of theses pilgrims were well traveled but very coddled in their travels. They had the money to be insulated from any potential uncomfortable situations and the color of their skin blinded them from seeing any issue with those particular travel choices over the years. To be clear we were fairly well insulated on this trip as well although there were plenty of bumps in the road to disrupt total comfort for my senior companions.

The country of Uganda has tremendous beauty in both scenery and people. Simply put they are the kindest people I have ever encountered. Unfortunately they are victims of civilizations march towards oblivion. Their government desperately wants a piece of the ever dwindling pie and colonialism has damaged the core of this ancient culture beyond any certain repair. Catholicism/Christianity has spread its wings and capitalism has followed her lead. Uganda is near the bottom of the hierarchy and is trying to climb out of the mud and into a place where industry and tourism blend into a blossoming economy. The people of this wonderful country know hardship and so the descent of economic collapse will be less damaging than it will for me and my privileged cue tips. However the concern of people relying on markets was expressed by an organic farmer who also happened to be a Catholic priest. He is trying to spread his knowledge throughout the town of Jinja and by the looks of his garden he has the goods to pull it off. So even in the poorest countries in the world reliance on the industrial machine is ever present.

The children in Uganda are caught between two ever changing worlds. On one hand they cling to their cultures and on the other end they are being inundated with massive propaganda from their government and churches. The schools I visited had a blend of cultural dances and recitations of Catholic/Christian/capitalistic inspired propaganda. They were dancing one moment and the next moment speaking in repetitive unison about how thankful they are for white people (no joke) and technology as a relief to boredom (again no joke). Most of these ideas are placed in their heads by their teachers who have gone through the same system. Of course our system does the same thing only less obvious to some of us.

When collapse comes I know the people of this land will suffer but I believe their spirit and past trials will carry the day. As for me and my ilk I think we ought to enjoy our last few moments on top because unlike the Ugandan people, our citizens will not adapt well to the type of change that is steamrolling towards us.