If the BRA did not exist we would have to invent it. The support it offers may not be visible but you would soon notice problems it if it was not there. Other nationalities in Kampala are actually very interested in the BRA and wonder why they don’t have similar support. So here, especially for Eye readers, is a history of the BRA, an analysis of the support it gives and how you can get into it. The British Resident’s Association was formed about 20 years ago when it became obvious that the High Commission did not have the mandate or the funds to help British people who got into trouble. Embassies are not really there to help their own nationals.

They do what they can because they are nice people but when an individual gets into deep trouble due to bad luck, lack of planning or even his own stupid fault, it is often the community that has to bail him out. Perhaps literally. So a bunch or Brits in the 80’s decided to formalize this community support by forming the BRA.

The diversity of problems that the BRA has helped with advice, support and most often cash is extraordinary and by necessity usually highly confidential. Lawyers fees, prison visits, antiretroviral drugs for rape victims in the days when they cost 1000 pounds a month, costly surgery, very costly surgery and extremely costly surgery, loans for stolen passports, repatriation of a child slave, purchase of air tickets, even intervention and separation of combatants in a domestic knife attack have all been seen over the past 15 years. Without the BRA some of these people would be bankrupt or dead instead of alive and working and contributing. Some of them are dead. None of the members would expect to ever need the services of their association. This is a charity, not a mutual society. It helps any Brit, whether resident, tourist or illegal immigrant, not because they are deserving, or nice people, but simply because they are in need.
Being British of course, they also want to have fun, enjoy a good time and be social. Quietly, and decorously, naturally.
So the BRA is mostly visible as an organizer of social events. They raise money, bring people together and publicize the charity. Their real work is done out of sight, confidentially on a need to know basis by the committee.

Any British resident can join the BRA and members get invited to special member-only events. They also get cut-price entry to most of the social events. Members and any other interested person, get together on the last Friday of the month at a public venue, advertised by email, just for a beer and a chat with committee members. There are also social events throughout the year, the biggest being the annual Trafalgar Night celebration and the St George’s Day Ball, which are open to anyone and everyone.
So if you want to get into the BRA, call the membership secretary (John Griffin - info@grifweb.com) and get on the email list. Belgians, Bolivians and Belarussians can of course form their own BRA. Latvians could form the LRA. Or perhaps not.