Along the Road in Uganda

As we traveled along the roads in Ugandi, we observed some interesting things. Because many people cannot afford cars, they carry just about everything on their bicycles and motorcycles; everything from chickens to car batteries, to sugar cane and bananas. I saw a bicycle with two (live) pigs all tied down and another with a small (live) calf, probably on the way to market.The heavy trucks are usually overloaded and top heavy and it is not uncommon to see one overturned. This one was going around a roundabout just a little to fast. They draw lots of spectators as the photo shows. When the trucks or buses break down on the road, they are fixed right there, sometimes when they are still on the road. They cut branches from nearby trees and put them on the road in front of and behind the truck to serve as "flares".  It is also common to see traffic "gridlock" in downtown Kampala and Jinja, all day long - not just during 'rush hours'. The roads are full of pot holes, they are narrow with no center line, pedestrian's and bicycles are usually along the road, and speed bumps are everywhere. Fortunately, our hosts, another missionary couple serving in Gulu, Uganda took us where we needed to go, so we didn't have to drive while we were there. In spite of all of this, these hard working people go about their business and seem to do their best in supporting themselves and their families.