Yesterday there were protest marches in the centre of Kampala. These protests were against the planned cutting down of trees in the Mabira Forest (situated East of Kampala) to make way for the production of sugar. The Government is talking of selling part of the forest to an Asian Sugar Company but this has not gone down well with the local people.
The protest marches started out peaceful but there was a misunderstanding between the police and the protestors and it quickly turned violent. The protests also took on a racial slant against the Asian community in which many Asians feared for their lives. The BBC reports of three deaths but there has been talk of more. For the full story you can check out the following link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6548107.stm
Simon landed at Entebbe airport where I SMS him to tell him that there was some unrest in town and to watch the Entebbe Road (the only main road from the Airport to the City) as there was word that the troubles could spread. As he drove home he witnessed absolute chaos as people were driving the wrong way up the dual carriageway just to get out of the City. He ended up turning around and going back to Kajjansi (MAF's airstrip). Meantime he did a short flight out for the one of the other pilots who couldn't make it out to the airstrip because of the problems. When he returned about 6:30pm the roads were quiet and order seemed to have been restored.
We would value your prayers for this situation that there would be no further problems and that this situation can be sorted out in a peaceful manner.
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