Life

Running in Kampala

Bright colours, headbands and the tightly laced sneakers of a runner have become an everyday sight in Kampala’s landscape. John, a self-professed running addict, runs for 30 minutes most mornings through his neighbourhood in Naguru. He has been running for three years now and while initially the reason was to keep healthy now he runs because he enjoys it. When he goes three days without running he says he feels a little unbalanced. Whenever John runs, he now sees more people on the trail with him. To him, this is a good indication that more people are taking up running or that those already involved are being consistent with it.

Running is easy because there are next to no rules. John refers to it as the lazy man’s exercise. All you need, he says, is some road and to put one foot in front of the other. It is cheap and there is no special gear required. You do not even need a map although some runners choose to run designated trails. Like any venture he urges some caution. His golden rules are running in well lit places and carrying your cell phone.

For the aesthetic mind, a scenic route is a good choice. In Kampala, those interested in a bit of a challenge can run on hilly terrain. While there are a number of running trails in the city many people, like John, choose to run near their homes or workplaces for convenience.

WalkJogRun.net is a U.S. based website dedicated to mapping running trails. People from across the world can map their running or walking courses. Caitlin Seick, a marketing associate at WalkJogRun.net, confirms that they have some routes in Uganda which were all created by members on the site. Some of their routes can be found at: http://www.walkjogrun.net/running-routes/Uganda/.

Running goes beyond just exercise for WalkJogRun.net. They also partner with charity organizations to promote running events such as the recently held Run Awake 5k for the Achon Uganda Children’s fund.

For others, it is easier to run in a group. The Kampala Hash House Harriers are the most well-known running group in the city. Although they are dedicated runners it appears that running is their secondary objective – the primary one being to meet people and have a good time. As they say, they are drinkers, with a running problem or runners with a drinking problem.

The eccentricities of the group are widely detailed – members can be ‘punished’ for stretching before a run, or showing up with a new pair of shoes by having to drink a beer, or soft drink, out of one of their shoes. Punishments can range from having beer tossed at you to you having to wear a toilet seat around your neck while kneeling inside a circle of the other runners.

The Kampala Hash House Harriers meet on Mondays at 6pm at an earlier communicated place and run a trail set by the trail master. This can be anywhere in the city so the routes are posted online. Martin Fowler, known to the group as ‘Hacking Bush’ (nicknames/hash handles are another custom of the group) says membership is as easy as simply showing up with 8,000 UGX. The trails change constantly.

In addition to the weekly runs, the Hashers also hold a number of running events. In February, the Hashers tackle the 7 Hills Run around Kampala, an affair that is topped off by lots of celebration and drinking, of course. Another event on their calendar is the Jinja Relay in early July. The Hash Bash is the final running event of the year. All this fun also has some heart to it. At the end of the year they give a surplus of their collections to a charity of their choosing. Find them on their Facebook page.

Popular Marathons

There are annual Marathons in Kampala. The biggest group of runners in the city can be spotted at these events;

• Kabaka Birthday Run: This is organised in April every year in remembrance of the birthday of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. This event normally runs on the Sunday before 13th April, the birthdate of the Kabaka. The event attracts thousands of Ugandans in Kampala and it has the 5km, 10km and 21km. There is always a Community cause for this event. More details about the Buganda Road race can be found on their site and Facebook page. https://www.bugandatourism.com/events/kabaka-birthday-run
•  The MTN Kampala Marathon: The marathon is held in November every year and there is a particular cause to run for! It has the 42km, 21km and 10km legs. It also caters for disabled participation. Both professional and amateur runners dabble at the yearly event. Preparations for this are serious as there is a generous prize for the winner.
• The Buganda Road Race is another annual running event organised by the Buganda kingdom.

Organizations and communities such as the International School of Uganda also hold charity runs.

Kampala Embraces Yoga

It seems a bit strange that contorting your body into impossible shapes can bring physical relief. Practitioners of yoga, however, swear there are countless benefits of yoga including increased immunity and a well toned body.

Yoga is used to curb emotional and psychological stress and although the uptake has been slow, Ugandan’s are latching onto the practice.

Amelia Kabuye, a Ugandan legal assistant started yoga to get a bit of exercise but realized that the benefits were far greater than she had imagined. Yoga brought a ‘balance’ to her being; a thing she says is difficult to put into words.

For Alex Ochom, a Ugandan instructor, yoga is most effective when it comes to stress relief saying, “We live in a very stress filled time, I feel that yoga can be a good solution to that.” He has been teaching yoga since 2009 and has seen a steady increase in the number of Ugandan students, especially this year.

With a taekwondo and gymnastics background, he was looking for a more active form of yoga. He was surprised to find that yoga wasn’t all about ohming, a mantra that is repeated normally at the start and end of a yoga session. A misconception many Ugandans share. He settled into Ashtanga yoga because it is more physically demanding and incorporates balancing, cardio, breathing and strengthening of the body.

Alex’s classes have students from beginner to advanced levels so he tailors the classes to all their needs. The first barrier he finds to the up-take of yoga is the financial expense. On average a class costs about 20,000 UGX a price that is high for the average Ugandan.

In a bid to spread this philosophy and provide the youth with a positive activity, he charges some students less. He is also currently looking for a free space where he can instruct people and where people can practice yoga at no cost. The idea of a TV show in the morning is one he feels would help reach Ugandans en masse. The second challenge is that most who have heard about yoga think that it is a religion.

Angela Inglish, a yoga instructor in Makindye, says she has encountered this problem. This may be because yoga originates from India where Hinduism and Buddhism are predominant religions. Latim Obonyo Umbi, an instructor at annaE’s studio believes it may also be because yoga writings are in Sanskrit, the language of Hinduism.

While there are regular attendees Angela would love to see more Ugandan’s in her class. She prefers Vinyasa Yoga because it is less rigid and non-repetitive. “It allows you to switch up the styles,” she says.

At annaE’s in Bukoto, Anna Erlandsdotter and Latim Obonyo Umbi, the instructors, have new dynamic blends of yoga such as Kick Off Yoga and Happy Hour Recovery Yoga which is best for one recovering from a long night out. They believe that yoga can be tailored to whatever the individual needs. Pregnant women or couples can have particular blends.

Anna who has been in Uganda for three years sees a change in yoga, “It is becoming more dynamic,” she says. She attributes this to the entry of new yoga teachers into the market. Before, the yoga was taught more by Indian teachers who focused more on the philosophy.

annaE’s studio also offers private classes to not more than five. Latim says this way the individuals get maximum attention.

Some say yoga is egotistical because it focuses on the self but Anna believes it’s altruistic and is glad more Ugandan women come to the class. “Women are the care givers. It is only when we take good care of ourselves that we can take care of others,” she says.

Alex teaches a class at Acacia Yoga and Wellbeing Center on Monday and Friday at 6pm and on Wednesday at 9am for 40,000 UGX a class.

Angela teaches a class at the American Recreational Association on Wednesday at 9am for 45,000 UGX.

Classes at annaE’s are on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm, on Friday at 7am and on Saturday at 9am. They charge 125,000 UGX for 5 classes and 30,000 UGX for a single class. They also teach at Kabira Country Club where non-members pay 45,000 UGX a class.

All teachers offer private classes.

There is a new Facebook page where you can keep updated on all the goings on of Yoga and other wellness activities in Kampala: https://www.facebook.com/WellnessUganda

AnnaE’s studio is on the tarmac road above Kampala International School found here. Once there, you can call them on 0776035587. You can also find them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/annaEs/142934362505575

We will provide links to maps for the following locations as soon as we can:

• The Acacia Yoga and Wellbeing Center
• The American Recreational Association in Makindye
• The Kabira Country Club

Kampala’s Spicy Lingerie Shops

Unless you have been recently teleported in from the dark ages you are probably aware that women like to keep their lingerie collections updated – both because they like to buy and wear attractive garments but also adding a spark to their relationships. And, it’s not just a ‘women’s thing’. More men are starting to catch on surprising their girlfriends, fiancés, and wives with lingerie as presents and surprise gifts.

Obviously, when buying intimate apparel there are a few factors to be taken into consideration… things like knowing what color best suits a woman’s skin, her size, the type and quality of the lingerie she prefers are all important elements to be considered.

“Bottom line: men think lingerie is sexy, classy and feminine,” says Rachael Awori, a sales assistant at Kingspark Intimates explaining why lingerie is a good turn on for most men. “Most times the guys buy what they would love to see their women putting on and not necessarily what the women want or suits them and, as much as I find that a selfish act, it’s the act that counts”

Where to Buy Lingerie in Kampala

A lot of shops and boutiques around Kampala have notice the trend and demand for lingerie and have begun selling it. Where to the desired quality is another entire issue entirely.

Lauma Lingerie

Kingspark Intimates is a lingerie shop  on the third floor of Garden City Mall and it also has a branch at Metroplex mall in Nalya. They specialize in two lingerie labels: Triumph and Sloggi. They deal in all kinds of lingerie ranging from ordinary panties and bras, to minimizers [which make a woman’s cleavage appear smaller and are not padded], Zero- to-Sexy [which gives cleavage a slight pushup], multi-way bras [which can be worn strapped, strapless, criss-cross and halter neck], glamorous bras [which are unpadded and netted], and push-up bras. They also carry bras for teenagers, and ‘tube tops’ [which have no padding, underwiring or straps].  Garters are often bought as women find them funky and more seductive.

Their range of other lingerie is broad and can be intimidating for the uninitiated with body stockings, bikinis, tangas, knicker shorts, french cuts, briefs, hipsters, high waist lingerie, edible panties, c-strings, beaded strings, t-stings, and body shapers (for those who want a flat midriff), bum enhancers, hip enhancers, breast enhancers, nipple covers as well as a wide range of lingerie for pregnant and expectant mothers. Prices range from 37,500 UGX to 120,000 UGX.

Another shop that sells lingerie is Stylz, found in Cham Towers on Kampala Road. They specialize in designer lingerie and deal mostly in the Marks & Spencers brand. Charity Lara, the shop attendant recommends women buy cotton lingerie as it absorbs heat and that they also consider comfort when choosing the kind of lingerie to buy.

Around the Ntinda area, the S&S Shop located on Capital Shoppers City Mall specializes in ordinary lingerie and nighties from the USA and UK as well as ‘body magic re-shapers’ for women which give a slimmer appearance as well as and re-shaper vests for men.  Their prices range from 100,000 UGX to 150,000 UGX.  Jenniner Kemigisha, the proprietor of S&S  explains that ladies should buy high quality products which last longer so provide more value in the long run rather than cheap products which are uncomfortable and wear out quickly. S&S can be reached by email at: jenniner03@gmail.com

Woolworths is another great place where to shop for a wide variety of lingerie. Located in the Garden City Mall with branches at Metroplex Nalya and Tirupati Mall (in Kabalagala). Lingerie there ranges from 20,000 UGX to 300,000 UGX. They can be reached by phone on +256 (0) 414 240 102/ +256 (0) 792 764 119 or visit their website www.woolworths.co.za.

Still can’t find what you’re looking for – either for yourself or that special someone? There are smaller shops dotted around in Pioneer Mall on Kampala Road, in Ugandan House, King Fahd Plaza, and Kamu Kamu Plaza to mention but a few. There’s also quite a few second-hand lingerie shops popping up in outdoor markets around the city.

So, if you’re looking for lingerie you can certainly find it no matter the neighborhood you’re in an if you think of lingerie as expensive and hard to find, think again!