Rwanda is Not East Africa

Many people have put forth the proposition that Rwanda is in East Africa. From high level agreements like COMESA down to the perceptions of East Africans, there is the feeling that Rwanda should be seen in the same light as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. I am here in Kigali to tell you they are all wrong.

Rwanda is not East Africa. And here are several reasons why…

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How Many Hills in Kigali, Rwanda?

This is the question I have while sitting in the capitol of Rwanda, the “land of a thousand hills”: how many hills are there in Kigali itself? To answer this question, I’m looking to Johnny and Patrick, two Kigali businessmen who should know exactly how many hills are in Kigali – and be able to name them all too.

If you, like I wonder if they have the answer, watch and learn:

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Business is Booming in Kigali

While there may be a recession in the developed world, you would not know it standing in downtown Kigali, Rwanda. All I can hear is the sound of business.

Now don’t get all crazy and sell everything to move to Africa. This specific economy is very donor dependent – around half the economy is donor funded, greatly warping the business climate. Still, there is opportunity…

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Ugandan Engagement and Wedding Ring Traditions

Vicky, a middle class Ugandan, is about to get engaged to her beau and I wondered if Ugandans had different traditions than Americans when it came to showing love for your spouse.

I noticed that some women had rings on different fingers and I asked Vicky to explain. Listen to her explain the Ugandan traditions for engagement parties and rings, and how they wear wedding rings after the big day.

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Ugandan Opinions on Barak Obama

Crossing the border into Uganda, I was greeted by cheers of “Obama! Obama!” so I expected there to be universal love for Barak Obama here, as I found in Kenya’s endless Obama party.

Surprisingly, that was not the case. Ugandans had pretty divergent and contradictory opinions on the President-elect, from fanboys to skeptics, that I explored one night in Kampala.

First, let’s hear from two Ugandan women, one who says she has “no good feelings about Obama”:

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