Uganda Time

One of the themes of our time in Uganda is the lackadaisical nature of the itinerary. At a glance, a laid back itinerary was enticing and comforting... but it's been a bigger issue than we expected. The main organizer for our stay in Kampala is Daudi, a transportation service manager, so his mental clock is always ticking. Despite his regimented approach, we're still constantly behind schedule. Well, he's moving with alacrity compared to Gulu. Here in Gulu, we are rarely within 2 hours of the schedule.
Our hosts have very good intentions, no doubt. Most are kind and open to our suggestions. But there seems to be a lack of respect for our time. I understand that our hosts are voluntarily taking time to show us their town and their way of life, but there is a systemic lack of organization which has made the trip just as frustrating as it has been stimulating. We've had a host drop out at the last minute (mine!), so we depended on the generosity of another rotarian to take two team members into his home. We've also missed visits to hospitals and project sites due to disorganization.
Now, I shouldn't say that everyone in Gulu Rotary is causing problems. There are wonderful, thoughtful people in this organization. Unfortunately, the members who make the most noise and carry the most weight are also the least considerate (by our standards). It's a small adjustment to make for a unique experience in a small African town...but I just wanted to get it out there.