Karamoja’s resilience made a lasting impression.
Celebrating 30 years of Ireland in Uganda - Former Ambassadors' memories.
Ambassador William Carlos was leading the Irish mission in Uganda when the Covid-19 crisis hit in early 2020. “I don’t define my time in Uganda by the Covid crisis, but it obviously had a huge impact,” he recalls. “It was a very strange time.”
Kampala is normally a loud, bustling city choked with traffic. “But when we were in lockdown, there was no noise, no cars. Everywhere was quiet. We were not allowed to go outside after 3 p.m. It was very challenging, but the Irish community stuck together and supported each other.” he said.
The last big social gathering in Kampala just before lockdown was the St Patrick’s Ball. “Then restrictions hit and they were very strict in Uganda. A lot of the younger Irish community who were not living here long term went home.”
The Ambassador is no stranger to Africa. Before his posting to Uganda he, his wife Irene and daughters Eimear and Roisin lived in Mozambique (1991-1994) and Tanzania (2005-2009)
“I loved my time in Uganda, the atmosphere, the people and their positive attitude. And the breathtaking beauty of the countryside. The temperature is perfect and constant all year. I had very good interactions with Ugandans. But I was sad that the country had not developed as far as it should.”
A clear highlight of the Ambassadors posting was seeing the impact of the programmes supported by Irish Aid in Karamoja, one of Uganda’s poorest and most underdeveloped regions.
“Karamoja had been a “forgotten” region and was very far behind the rest of the country.” he said. “But Irish Aid went in there 20 years ago committed and determined to support the furthest left behind. Despite the challenges, and especially the corruption issue in 2012, Irish Aid did not waver and it has had an enormous impact on the region supporting transformative programmes.”
“The work in education is what impressed me most. Education is the foundation for everything, and because of Irish Aid support thousands of children have had the opportunity of an education over the last 20 years through bursaries.”
The Irish Aid Fellowship Programme, which fully funds early to mid-career Ugandan professionals to do a Masters, has also been transformative, says the Ambassador. “Today there are many Fellowship graduates who are working in senior positions in Karamoja, giving back to their communities.”
The resilience of people in Karamoja and their ability to overcome challenges have had a lasting impression on the Ambassador, and he recalls meeting a 12-year-old girl who has been given an Irish school bursary. “Her father had died, and the family had no money. Getting the bursary meant the world to her. I was stunned by her eloquence and strength and her quiet determination to get a good education that would lead to a job so she could have a good life and support her family.”
The Ambassador couldn’t speak more highly of the Embassy team and the local staff. “We lost one treasured staff member, Rosemary, in my time that was very sad and I recall we had a special Mass for her and family.”
“The Irish Community were also fantastic. I have great memories of gatherings and events. Of course the annual St Patrick’s Ball Day was a highlight and it is still the best Ball I have been at anywhere in the world.
Ambassador Carlos moved from Uganda to Ambassador to the Philippines in November 2021. “This was a new mission, so it was very different to Uganda which was well established when I got there. Because it was new there were no legacy problems, and I had to build up a team but I am really enjoying it. But I do miss Africa!”