Uganda mission for Lanark tenants champion Scott Sinclair

Although he roared with laughter when asked if he was the David Livingstone of the 21st century, Scott Sinclair’s mission to Uganda is deadly serious.

His friends and associates around Lanark were surprised when they learned that the man so active in tenants organisations was about to make such a radical change in his life at the age of 58.

It began with a brief trip last year to the African country soon to become his home.

“In Scotland we make a big noise over poverty but what I experienced in Kambuga and elsewhere in Uganda astounded and shocked me.”

He said that what hit him emotionally hardest of all was the plight of the youngsters.

“If a family can find £3 a week – and that’s a LOT there – they can send their child to a local primary school.

“I befriended the owner of one local school, Xavier, who said that, for that £3, he provides education, school uniform, shoes, breakfast and lunch five days a week.

“He invited me to stay and teach English at the school. I declined at the time but promised to return one day.”

Now, due to a “few unexpected turns and twists of fate”, that day has come.

For more on this, pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette.