Uganda, For Africa’
From a country once torn by violence, with poverty and disease on its doorstep, rose an unlikely beacon
By Matt DaSilva
he Ugandans are late for lunch. It’s 11:45 a.m. as they saunter downstairs to the cafeteria at the University of Denver’s Centennial Hall for an 11 a.m. meal. “That’s African time,” Aimee Dixon says. Dixon, an associate director for Fields of Growth International, spent the last year raising money, lobbying governments and crashing on friends’ couches to get these 18 men here for this day — their debut as the first African nation in the world lacrosse championship. What they lack in punctuality, they make up for in affection and gratitude. Despite numerous hurdles in Uganda’s “Dream 2014” campaign, it’s been nothing but love since they landed in Denver. Stephanie Weber, a local woman who never heard of lacrosse but saw Uganda on the news, delivers 25 bagged lunches she made for the team — a spread of sandwiches, watermelons, trail mix, apples, bananas, chips, water and Gatorade. Captain Patrick “Pato” Oriana stands up from the table to accept the meal on the team’s behalf. His teammates follow in unison. “Asante sana,” they chant. It’s Swahili for, “Thank you very much.” “You’re welcome,” she replies. “Play well. Be strong.” After Ryan Mugisa says grace, Kevin Dugan reminds the players that certain foods must be refrigerated if they want to save them for later. “It’s not Uganda drinking yogurt,” he says.
Dugan did not have a national team in mind when he first brought lacrosse to Uganda in 2009. He played at Notre
32 LACROSSE MAGAZINE September 2014>> A Publication of US Lacrosse
‘for
©TREVOR BROWN
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