Sunday 4^th December

A week has now passed since the events of last weekend. The story of what happened is well documented on the Africa page of the BBC although there was little mention of the events here at Kagando which left 10 people dead. All now seems peaceful and people seem much more relaxed again. The evidence of what happened is fast disappearing as bullet holes are filled in and repairs undertaken.

Bullet damage to the gates of the compound

A window in the chapel damaged by a stray bullet

The honey store peppered with small bullet marks

A larger clibre shell penetrated the guards hut

The last few days has definitely seen an increase in activity in the hospital with all the wards seeing activity at a level comparable to 2 weeks ago. One lady was admitted vomiting blood with a haemaglobin of only 2.9. Shen needed blood but was group O rhesus negative but no compatible blood was available. The decision had to be made to give her O Rhesus positive blood as a life saving measure and worry about the consequences for any future pregnancies she may have for the time when she has recovered. A man was admitted on Friday who had not been able to walk for 2 months because of weakness in the legs. It strongly looks as if he has syphilis affecting his nervous system so hopefully some prolonged treatment with penicillin may restore his ability to walk. The medical work here is full of challenges, not least making the best of the limited resources available.

This afternoon a number of us had a trip out to somewhere about 30kms away for lunch. It was a very relaxing time and a great antidote to everything that we have experienced in the last 8 days.

The current expatriate staff together with Gloria (physiotherapist) and Mary (Paediatrician and Medical Director)

The obligatory stop at the Equator

I am due to leave Kagando on Thursday morning and I am getting a lift from Jonny Rowland who is running the local coffee project. This is a day earlier than I had planned but the opportunity to travel down with Jonny was too good to miss. It is hard to believe that the 12 weeks in Uganda are drawing to a close. So much has happened during the time and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be here to share in all the experiences both good and difficult and to have remained well and safe throughout. Coming home again to all the pre-Christmas build up may be rather hard not to mention the freezing temperatures after getting used to an ambient temperature of 25 to 30 degrees and night time temperatures always over 20.