Uganda . 2 Days after Nairobi Mall Attack

A terrorist alert spoiled my attempt at a girl’s night out. Avoid malls and public places they barked. Ugandan police—in all their 20 different uniforms—loitered importantly along every major thoroughfare. My favorite uniform is, of course, the all-white traffic cop suit with calf-high black army boots. They must rub hard to wash away the dust and red clay of the streets daily. I sidestep the barrel end of their nonchalantly holstered Cold-War era rifles and enter the supermarket. Another dinner party at home. I generally fear death by accident here more than by zealotry, but I took precaution this evening nonetheless. The next morning revealed that either peace or prudence had triumphed. We were not attacked in the night.