February 19 and 20, 1966
Our first trip out of Masaka. Jim Rush and his wife came down Saturday to take us to Rwashamane (a big name but a small place). There was a party at Dee Gerald, and Ken’s. People from Uganda II, Ken, Bob, Roy, Bruce and Trudy. They had and we had many notes to compare. Both the story of the cab driver and the Saza Chief and the Cobra and the Lion fascinating. The farmer we witnessed and agreed taxi fare of 30/ became 135/ upon arrival at D and G’s after an Askana. Bruce (aided by Dee) called upon the Saza Chief for assistance. The whole thing was finally settled with the aid of the local U.P.C. politico.

The latter John Brush met up with a cobra in Fort Portal. Played with it for a while before he killed it. (He didn’t know what it was) he had the skin.

Also Bruce mentioned that they had a Lion escape in Fort Portal; apparently it is pretty rough country.

The country between Masaka and Rwashamane changes abruptly about 15 miles to the west. We are in luxurious evergreen tropical rain forest area to the west; it becomes the African plains, short stubby trees and tall grass. Much more tropical of East Africa actually than our location though we are pretty Africaish.

This trip was our first one out of Buganda. The political climate is much different. However, the rumors about shenanigans in Kampala persist down there, and they have heard the word, coup. LAP (Then Prime Minister Milton Obote suspended the Constitution on February 22, fired several members of the cabinet and on March 3, suspended the Kabaka as President. The Kabaka would be overthrown by Milton Obote and his then head of the army, Idi Amin May 24.

February 20, 1966
We got more than we bargained for down at Rwashamaire. We went empty handed, were promised a puppy, and came home with (hold your breath) TWO. On the way home one of them threw up in my lap, although I was able to forestall most of the onslaught with my good tan sweater (grrr). We had just got readjusted when the other one got up, fidgeted, and then had jelly belly in Louie’s shoe, on his leg, and finally on his shirt. After that they were quiet until we got home, but we couldn’t relax for fear of another incident. They are now safely tucked into the garage, and don’t seem to be minding it too much. They are so cute. The male is Jet, and the female is Misty. We will love them, but I think we’re in for a real adjustment problem.

Dee and Gerold are a lot of fun. They are relaxed guys, and they made our stay as pleasant as they could. We were a little lost during the actual party, because, when drunk, people tend to talk to old friends, and we didn’t know anyone that well; but we had fun. For dinner we had sheep and goat roasted over an open pit in the backyard, with potatoes. It was great!

I now have a copy of the Flowering Plants of Uganda – which I must read! Then I may be prepared to teach some botany. I doubt it. FMP

We also ran into “Mad Man” Mattram in his native habitat yesterday and today. He thinks he is Lawrence of Arabia and dresses to prove it. He is head master of the school at Rwashamarre. Quite a character, he wears a couple of “sheets”, one blanket around his waist, and another thrown over his shoulders. (LAP).