Kosupa Travel

In my previous article, I described the journey across Lake Victoria by boat to reach the small village of Sazi in Uganda, and then the adventure of riding a “Boda Boda” (Ugandan motorcycle taxi) from Sazi to Sina Village. Today, I’ll be sharing my experiences exploring Sina Village itself.

Exploring Sina Village

Upon arriving at Sina Village, I decided to explore the grounds first. The village is equipped with various facilities including a dining hall, lecture spaces, and an observation deck. There are also farms, cattle, and cats, making it feel like a condensed version of a traditional Ugandan rural village. It’s impressive to see how the long-term residents maintain a semi-self-sufficient lifestyle in this village.

The particularly charming houses that catch your eye are used as rooms for visiting guests.

Interacting with Village Members

After exploring the village and checking in at reception, I was greeted by a young man named Patrick. He is a member studying business at Sina Village.

Patrick guided me around and shared information about the Village’s activities. At Sina Village, they not only teach business, agriculture, and self-sufficient living but also educate villagers and visitors about Ugandan traditional culture and environmental conservation. As part of this initiative, there’s a souvenir shop for visitors that features handcrafted items made by village members.

Village members live together in dormitories with two beds per room within Sina Village. While the space might seem small by Western standards, they manage to share the space efficiently and comfortably. I became friends with three members living there who specially invited me in to share lunch. Without tables, we ate with plates on our laps or placed them on the ground, adapting to the local style.

While continuing to explore the grounds, I was suddenly approached by a village woman who wanted her photo taken. Foreigners are quite rare in rural Uganda, and Asian faces particularly stand out. To many locals, we apparently remind them of Bruce Lee!

Though she appears stoic in the photo, she was very happy and grateful when I shared the picture with her.

Staying in a Traditional House

This is my accommodation for the stay – a charming mud-walled house built in traditional style. The interior is spacious and includes a bed with mosquito netting, which is essential as Uganda has a high risk of malaria. The contrast between this accommodation and the dormitories is quite striking.

The bathroom facilities are shared outdoor pit latrines. The intense odor was unlike anything I’d experienced before – certainly an authentic African experience!

While walking around my accommodation, the sun began to set, creating a mystical atmosphere. I spent time simply taking in the village scenery against the sunset backdrop. Though my stay at Sina Village had just begun, the entire journey from the airport had already proven to be an incredibly stimulating experience.

What’s Next?

In this article, I’ve introduced the facilities and daily life at Sina Village. In my next post, I’ll be sharing details about experiencing Ugandan nightlife with the young people of Sina Village.