Editors letter July-Sept 2026

Editors letter July-Sept 2026

“The journey is the destination.”

– Dan Eldon –

Shaz cartoon likeness

Dear, Eye Readers

Welcome to Uganda—the Pearl of Africa.

Whether this is your first visit or you have called this beautiful country home for years, we are delighted to have you with us. Uganda is a place of contrasts and colour, where busy city streets meet vast open landscapes, and where every journey comes with a story worth telling.

 

In this issue of The Eye Magazine, we bring you your essential companion to living and travelling in Uganda. From practical information on health, driving and immigration to useful contacts, emergency services and everyday guidance, this edition of Uganda Essentials is designed to keep you informed, prepared and confident as you move through the country.

Our aim is simple—to make your experience in Uganda easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

 

Take it with you, keep it close, and let it guide you when you need it most.

 

Welcome, and enjoy the journey.

Shaz 😊

Pearl spotted owlet

COVER PHOTO
The Pearl Spotted Owlet

PHOTOGRAPH BY: magnific.com

DID YOU KNOW: The Pearl Spotted Owlet

 

The pearl-spotted owlet is a small bird of prey found in sub-Saharan Africa.

As part of the genus Glaucidium, or pygmy owls, they are commonly referred to as ‘owlets’ due to their diminutive size. Pearl-spotted owlets are brownish and heavily spotted white, with two distinct black false ‘eyes’ at the back of their head. They are often confused with an African barred owlet.

 

The pearl-spotted owlet is one of the smallest owls in Africa with a length of 17 to 21 cm. The females are slightly larger and heavier (100g) than the males (65g). Both males and females have similar plumage colouration. The facial disc is off-white and the eyes are yellow. At the back of the head there are two striking false black ‘eyes’ with a white outline.

The upper parts are cinnamon-brown with white spots. The tail and flight feathers are brown, with large white spots forming bars in flight. The bill and cere are pale greenish yellow, the legs are feathered white and feet are yellow. Juveniles are similar to adults but the head and back spots may be lacking or much reduced and the false ‘face’ is very obvious

 

Pearl-spotted owlets are often confused with African barred owlets, which have finely barred (not spotted) head and back, a blotched (not streaked) breast, barring across the upper breast, lack the false ‘eyes’, and have a proportionally large head. Pearl-spotted owlets call by day and night, especially before breeding, but are quiet when nesting. They have a distinct call: a loud series of shrill, short whistles that accelerate in tempo and rise in volume to a crescendo of long, loud whistles that descend in pitch and volume, peu peu peu-peu-peu peeuu peeeuu. A breeding pair may call in duet, whereby the female is higher pitched. In alarm, pair members give soft whistles and peeps – (Source: Pearl-spotted owlet – Wikipedia)

Our Advertisers

  • Appetite Pet Mart
  • Arcadia Suites Hotel
  • Chimpundu Lodge
  • East Africa Glassware Mart
  • Emburara Farm Lodge
  • Emburara Safaris
  • Gorilla Bluff Lodge
  • Gorilla Conservation Camp
  • Gorilla Tours Ltd
  • Great Lakes Collection
  • Greenhill International School
  • Hummingbird International School
  • International School Uganda
  • Junior Years Store
  • Kampala International School Uganda
  • Kiram Veterinary Services Ltd
  • Kwikoyere Safaris Uganda
  • Malaika Honey
  • Murchison River Camps: Hemingway’s Tented Camp
  • Onomo Hotels
  • Primate Safaris Uganda
  • Rainbow International School Uganda
  • Regis Uganda Ltd
  • Rwakobo Rock
  • Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation
  • Sage Credit
  • Self Drive Uganda Ltd
  • Shree Sahajanand International School
  • Simba Travelcare Limited
  • The Curry Leaf Indian Restaurant
  • Unimovers & Logistics Ltd
  • Vetplanet Pet Travel Agency & Small Animal Clinic

Please note our disclaimer

Reach Out

EDITORIAL, ADVERTISING & ADMIN:
Shaz Dunbar | info@theeye.ug | +256 782 947 882

Kampala, Uganda | theeye.ug | FB: @theeyemagazineuganda

www.instagram.com/theeyemagazineuganda/

www.facebook.com/theeyemagazineuganda/

MAGAZINE DESIGN & LAYOUT: Patrick Andhima | +256 703 525142 / +256 772 646043 krosrods51@gmail.com

WEBSITE DESIGN: Belinda Small | BeeCreative | belinda@beecreative.co.za

WEBSITE HOSTING: Selwyn Orren | Linuxweb | selwyn@linuxweb.co.za