When it rains in Kampala, everyone goes home at the same time. This means spending hours stuck in traffic as you try to make your way home.
The ideal survival skill here would be to stay in the office a little longer and go home after 10:00 PM when the roads are clear. This would be great only that your wife will have trouble believing that suddenly you come home late and your excuse has rain and traffic jam in it.

What to do then?
We have a starter pack for surviving the long drive home this rainy season;
1. Sufficient Fuel
Given the hours you’ll be spend idling in the traffic jam, you’re definitely going to burn more fuel than the days when you sail through jam free. Prepare for this, and top up more than you usually do.
2. Coffee or a snack
There is nothing worse than an idle mouth or a hungry stomach during “turn your engine off, you’re going nowhere” kind of traffic jam. And this is the kind you’ll be dealing with on rainy Kampala days. Grab a bite, grab some coffee, keep your stomach happy and your mood and tolerance will remain up.
3. Podcast
Music is good. But music becomes monotonous and irritating when you’re frustrated. Download an interactive podcast on a topic of your interest and listen as you move an inch every 10 minutes.
A good podcast will keep you hooked and instead of the anxiety looking forward to when you’ll move next, you’ll look forward to hearing more of the podcast and it’ll keep you relaxed, patient and distracted.

4. Good music
If podcasts aren’t your thing, maybe it’s time to finally catch up on that new Baru and Del Boy Chapter 3 album. Prepare a playlist that will keep you pumped, this will most certainly elevate your mood as you wait.
5. Good company
Someone to share the frustration with is another source of entertainment and a way to share that negative energy from the waiting. Spark an interesting conversation with them, dig deep and contribute to the conversation and you’ll be too absorbed to care about the long wait.
6. Get comfortable
If it’s too cold, warm up that AC, wear a sweater or cover up with a shawl. Make sure your body is not irritated from the discomfort of the temperature or air flow. Sit comfortably and mentally prepare for a long ride.

Finally, if you’re not driving, read a book or catch up on that new “How to get away with murder” episode on your tablet, phone or computer. Be very mindful of the window, make sure it’s closed if you’re sitting in a taxi, otherwise your phone will be snatched.
The ultimate hack is to keep entertained and to ensure that you’re not hungry, hunger agitates your mood and this is the beginning of all the frustration.
Also Read: Why it Rains & Kampala Jams