Stone

Before Dr. Garrigan can leave to Mabara, the town where he is to practice, he must stop by the British Embassy to register, and so that the British can know where he is, more or less for his safety. At the embassy he meats Stone, who was part part of the Colonial force that had ruled in Uganda. Stone collects his information and the topic of conversation turns to the current event of Amin overthrowing Obote. Stone explains, that although the British are not in power in Uganda, it remains their job to oversee the country. Stone explains how in the city of Kampala far removed from the rest of the country, which remains more or less in a jungle, that important happenings that lead to uprisings among tribes and ideals can be missed. In a way Stone places Amin's overthrow of Obote on the Britains shoulders, although he also states that Amin might be good for Uganda, and the Brits because he grew up in the British Army, and as he put it not very bright. Anyways, the point being Stone tells Garrigan to keep an eye out for anything unusual because rebellions often start in small towns, and escalate far beyond control by the time the news of thier existence reaches Kampala. Garrigan, stupidly or naively doesn't grasp the meaning of Stone's request and unfortunatley is not in touch with how Africa has been and will continue to be a dangerous place.