Week II - Day 4

Banking – 7/27

So we were thinking that it would be much easier to bank here instead of paying international withdrawl and swipe fees to our bank. We’ve sent funds to ourselves via Western Union and then called Uber to come get us so we can go pick up the money. It’s not as complicated as it sounds. Once at the bank, we are stopped by security gaurds who search my purse and wand Michael down; this happens everywhere! The banks, the malls, the mobile phone shops all take their time to check people out before they are allowed to enter; security is tight in Uganda!

Anyway, I was going to one particular bank for a cash withdrawl from my credit card and thus began another journey! The first bank’s teller said that their machine was not working. The second bank’s teller said that they did not perform such transactions. The third bank’s line had five people ahead of me and the person at the window had not moved for 10 minutes! The fourth and final bank, Barclays, had everything I wanted: a working machine, no line, warm & friendly rep BUT!!! they also had a huge fee!

I paid the fee then asked about opening an account. No luck! Before opening an account, one has to have the following:

-         Proof of residency

-         Valid passport

-         1 passport-size photo

-         Work identification

-         6 months bank statement

I was tempted to ask if this was the same requirement for all the corrupt officials but decided to keep my mouth shut. I’ve never been a foriegner before and I’m not sure if the policies are the same in all the other African nations and if they are, I think that more people would be willing to live and start businesses if the process was a bit more simplified for the common folk like us.

Last Thursday I learned a lot and was quickly sat down and humbled by the fact that I’m no longer in the United States and must conform to the way of life here on The Continent.

No pictures of this experience just lots of lessons to carry with me.