Outside the Main Library in St Andrews on the eve of my departure to Uganda, I wrote in my diary that I was equally as anxious to work in a country I knew close to nothing about than I was excited to launch myself into a completely new environment. Of course, it’s hard to know nothing about Uganda given its run of horrifying anti-gay policies in recent months, so although I cannot give any admiration for the state or those in charge, I’ve come to love this country and its charm is obvious.
I was right to expect beforehand that working in Uganda would be nothing like what I’m accustomed to at home, and there are some very interesting features of the Ugandan work culture which initially felt alien to me. Some of the differences I love, but some have been difficult at times. The most prominent is the understanding of ‘Ugandan time’ - that is, rigid deadlines and appointments do not really exist. Unlike in the United Kingdom where even a mere minute late is still considered ‘late’ and deserves comment (usually an apology tied-up with an excuse), Ugandan appointments can (and are often expected to) take place up to hours after the arranged time. Even as I find the time to type this blog, my work group has a scheduled meeting which was set to begin some two and a quarter hours ago. But this respect for each other’s time can be hugely helpful, allowing everyone to finish their previous task without dropping it prematurely for the next.
Asking for a favour is often accepted, but one cannot expect the favour to be prioritised or swiftly carried out. It’s sent off and you hear back when you hear back. This aligns to the healthy idea of respecting other’s time and priorities, but can sometimes bring about a frustrating waiting game if you need that favour to continue with your work.
Furthermore, there is a rather refreshing informality to meetings which I would place over the intense, corporate, scripted, and overly-formalised meetings which you can come to expect in the West. When you can catch-up and plan for the week with colleagues in comfort and good spirit, it goes a long way to foster a friendly work environment.
Reflections on the work culture aside, it has been to huge personal benefit the opportunity to step into such a foreign environment to work in. The skill to adapt and adjust to a radically different environment is something you cannot so easily develop without moving so far outside of your comfort zone. With such a necessity to conform almost instantaneously to unfamiliar working conventions and cultural norms in a part of the world you know nothing about and are a complete outsider in, you are forced to accept that you know nothing and have to learn quickly.
In future weeks I intend to write blogs on this wonderful country and the local culture, and the really quite enjoyable the work my team and I are carrying out, but they deserve their own posts. Until then, Mugoroobe!