The City of Seven Hills

The year is 2022, ‘outside’ is open again and we are free to travel as we please. After what seems like forever indoors, you are ready to go wherever and explore your newly discovered adventurous side. You spin your globe, close your eyes, and randomly place your finger on the map. Huh?! Uganda? Where in the world is that?! You consider re-spinning the globe but your adventurous side nudges you to go for it. You book your ticket and hotel, trying to stay away from ‘Tripadvisor’. The day to make the journey arrives and after nervous goodbyes, you wave to your family and friends as your buckle up for the adventure of a lifetime.

Kampala, Uganda, where do I begin? Vibrant. Fun. Colorful. The city that does not seem to sleep. The city that attracts people from across the globe. And the city that manages to remain unique while fusing together cultures from all around the world. Given the nickname ‘the city of the seven hills’ at the time of Uganda’s independence, my hometown Kampala holds a special place in my heart. I miss the ‘boda bodas’ (motorcycles-fastest way to get around), the ‘jangu’ (come here) of the business people inviting you to enter their store, and the loud music. Almost every store has music from hip-hop to dancehall to afrobeats.

I have met many people who randomly made the big decision to visit my hometown. Some visit for volunteering purposes, others for curiosity, and many more for adventure. Kampala really is a vibrant, beautiful place. (I think more than half of the world’s population believe their hometown is beautiful but bear with me). You have to keep up with Kampala; you have no choice. There is always something happening and always an opportunity to make friends and just live life. In my language we say, ‘Ekili e Uganda’. It’s hard to translate but it loosely means, ‘what is in Uganda’. This is usually followed by a funny story of Ugandans not letting this crazy thing called life get to them.

I could focus my whole story on how beautiful Kampala really is. Instead, I want to focus on the two important lessons my hometown has taught me.

First, life is for living. If last year taught me anything, it's that you can be the world’s greatest planner, but you still cannot predict what may came next. In Kampala we may describe some folks by saying, ‘they are masters of enjoyment’. We take life on and no matter what is thrown at us, we keep on going. Kampala may not be the richest place on Earth, but the smiles on our faces may make you feel otherwise. I choose to see the good and enjoy life no matter what, because of Kampala. Being a 'master of enjoyment', is all about finding what makes you happy and focusing on that.

Second, community is everything. People from my hometown embody the spirit of ‘ubuntu’. Ubuntu in Zulu means, ‘I am because you are’. My hometown taught me the importance of checking in on those around me. COVID-19 has made life so difficult for so many. This spirit of ubuntu always encourages me to be aware of others, their presence and remain in touch even when in isolation. I may not be as strong as I am today if it wasn’t for this concept.

One last plug: visit my city! Be adventurous like the person who randomly chose Kampala as their next destination at the beginning of my story. There is literally something for everybody. From outdoor activities, to fine dining, to cultural excursions, I guarantee you won’t be bored. And I cannot forget the sunsets. They will take your breath away.