The bombings on 11 July, which claimed 78 lives, have really shocked the people of Uganda. In a country where, with the exception of northern Uganda, peace has reigned since the end of the 1980s, nobody ever expected something like this to happen. Security measures were therefore inadequate. However, the attacks have changed things dramatically, and this is now having an impact on my life here in Kampala.

Empty bars and night clubs

First and foremost, the bombings have unnerved me and my friends, neighbours and colleagues. We’re now asking ourselves whether we can still go to certain places that used to be considered safe. This includes in particular night clubs, bars, big markets and other places where lots of people congregate, and which could be potential targets for terrorists. The extent of this unease is demonstrated by the fact that night clubs and bars that would normally be packed at weekends are now suddenly empty. This was especially noticeable on the two weekends immediately after the attacks.

Other direct effects of the attacks include a massive tightening-up of security in public areas. Body scans with metal detectors and bag inspections have become part of everyday life, and at larger buildings such as shopping centres, vehicle spot checks are also being carried out. All the vehicle occupants have to get out; they are searched, and then they have to wait until the entire vehicle has been checked. These measures are resulting in long waits and causing enormous traffic jams. Fortunately, thanks to my motorcycle I can often avoid the queues at the shopping centres. But I seriously doubt that these precautionary measures are practicable in the long term, because in addition to the extra costs for the security personnel, they also have economic consequences for restaurants and retail centres.

New priorities for the government

But the bombings have also had a direct effect on my work. The development cooperation work I do, and especially the cooperation with the government, is at a high political level. As a result of the bombings, the imperatives of the dialogue with respect to democracy, good governance, corruption and budget allocation have changed. For instance, demands that army budgets be cut and expenditure on the national security service be scaled back, as well as appeals for broadening the fight against corruption, have now begun to carry less weight. Now the focus is on security concerns, and the government is clearly trying to extract some political capital out of the situation.

At the African Union summit, which was held last week in Kampala, Uganda successfully lobbied for extra troops to be deployed in Somalia. This means that other countries besides Uganda and Burundi may take part in the Union’s peace mission. However, this does not by any means signify the end for the Islamist al-Shabab militia, which has claimed responsibility for the killings in Kampala. These extremists are waging a bloody and ruthless civil war in Somalia, and maintain strong contacts with al-Qaeda. The danger of further bloody reprisals remains.

However, I think these risks should always be viewed in relation to other dangers. Aside from the high death rates from disease, it is traffic, with 2,000 road deaths a year, that is and will continue to be the biggest safety hazard in Uganda. So I try to focus on the greater dangers and the positive aspects of life here, and not to let myself be unsettled by what are in my opinion overblown reactions to the attacks.

About the author

Thomas Benninger is 29, and since February 2009 has been living in Uganda’s capital city, Kampala, where he has a job with Irish Aid, Ireland’s government agency for development cooperation. As an ‘Economic Opportunities and Aid Effectiveness Specialist’, he supports the government and other bodies in their cooperation with finance providers, is responsible for economic questions, and cultivates Ireland’s relations with Uganda. At the same time, he is completing his Master of Advanced Studies in Development and Cooperation (NADEL) at ETH Zurich, which he expects to finish in 2011. Benninger has a double Master’s degree in International Affairs and Governance from the Graduate School of Business, Economics, Law and Social Sciences (HSG), University of St. Gallen, and Science Po in Paris. He finds life in Uganda interesting, particularly because it is full of surprises, the climate is pleasant, and the people are generally very friendly.