--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't know the extent of American…" description: "\"I didn't know the extent of American obsession with Uganda until I got there and saw it. You ride in the plane and it's filled with American missionari..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/roger-ross-williams-5118_destination_i-didn-t-know-the-extent-of-american-obs_2766102.jpg" --- # I didn't know the extent of American obsession with Uganda… ![“I didn't know the extent of American obsession with Uganda until I got there and saw it. You ride in the plane and it's filled with American missionaries. Uganda is the No. 1 destination for American missionaries in the world.” quote by Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/roger-ross-williams-5118_destination_i-didn-t-know-the-extent-of-american-obs_2766102.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/roger-ross-williams-5118_destination_i-didn-t-know-the-extent-of-american-obs_2766102.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/roger-ross-williams-5118_destination_i-didn-t-know-the-extent-of-american-obs_2766102.jpg) > “I didn't know the extent of American obsession with Uganda until I got there and saw it. You ride in the plane and it's filled with American missionaries. Uganda is the No. 1 destination for American missionaries in the world.” [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The U.S. has a disproportionate missionary presence in Uganda, reflecting cultural fascination and religious outreach. **In simple terms:** Americans heavily focus missionary work in Uganda. Key Takeaway Recognize cultural dynamics of foreign aid. Themes missionary work cultural exchange globalization religion Mood critical inquisitive Type analytical documentary When to use this quote - NGO planning - policy analysis - academic research Key Concepts soft power postcolonial critique humanitarian aid Questions to Reflect On - How does missionary work affect Ugandan communities? - What motivates Americans to choose Uganda? A Different Perspective May simplify complex local impacts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Destination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destination/) [Obsession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsession/) [Planes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planes/) [Uganda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uganda/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [American missionaries have free rein in Uganda. They can go anywhere they please - schools, hospitals, parliament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/american-missionaries-have-free-rein-in-uganda-they-can-go-anywhere/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [I began filming 'God Loves Uganda' by first meeting some of the Ugandan and American missionaries who have helped create Uganda's evangelical movement. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-began-filming-god-loves-uganda-by-first-meeting-some-of-the-ugandan/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“It is extreme folly for any people to send thousands of missionaries out into the world to preach the Gospel to the nations, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-f-smith/it-is-extreme-folly-for-any-people-to-send-thousands-of-missionaries/) [Joseph F. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-f-smith/) > [I counseled many returning missionaries. I interviewed 1,700 missionaries all over the world. My advice to them is that you should study and prepare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-counseled-many-returning-missionaries-i-interviewed-1-700/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Why so much interest in Uganda? Why are American conservatives lobbing for hate? The answer is that they feel they have lost the culture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/why-so-much-interest-in-uganda-why-are-american-conservatives-lobbing/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [ Someone sent an email to Reverend Joanna Watson \[an American missionary\] saying that I'm gay, and she sent it to all the anti-gay pastors… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/someone-sent-an-email-to-reverend-joanna-watson-an-american/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [The first lady of Uganda is a devoted evangelical and beloved by the faith community. At an evangelical conference in Argentina, one minister said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/the-first-lady-of-uganda-is-a-devoted-evangelical-and-beloved-by-the/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [All the politicians in Uganda play to their fundamentalist benefactors in America because of the flow of money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/all-the-politicians-in-uganda-play-to-their-fundamentalist/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [After I read about Uganda's now famous "kill the gays" bill, I wanted to explore the religious forces behind it. As a gay man,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/after-i-read-about-uganda-s-now-famous-kill-the-gays-bill-i-wanted-to/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [The more I learned about religion in Africa, the more intrigued I became. It was as if the continent was gripped with religious fervor.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/the-more-i-learned-about-religion-in-africa-the-more-intrigued-i/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [What is so attractive about Uganda for missionaries is that they have free rein. They can go anywhere they please - schools, hospitals, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/what-is-so-attractive-about-uganda-for-missionaries-is-that-they-have/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > ['God Loves Uganda' is a powerful exploration of the evangelical campaign to change African culture with values imported from America's Christian Right. The film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/god-loves-uganda-is-a-powerful-exploration-of-the-evangelical/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [Uganda can greatly benefit from American evangelicals if they separate the Scott Lively extremists from the Rick Warren-type of moderate evangelicals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/uganda-can-greatly-benefit-from-american-evangelicals-if-they/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [I agree that Scott Lively is marginal, and that is exactly why evangelicals must not let him speak for them. But in Uganda, Scott…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-agree-that-scott-lively-is-marginal-and-that-is-exactly-why/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [It has been hard to muster the resources to support fledgling democracies and to intervene on behalf of the most desperate. The AIDS orphans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/it-has-been-hard-to-muster-the-resources-to-support-fledgling/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) ## More by Roger Ross Williams > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [I didn't have a lot of exposure to films as a kid, and I never went to the cinema. I had a single mom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-didn-t-have-a-lot-of-exposure-to-films-as-a-kid-and-i-never-went-to/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [While shooting in Uganda in 2011, the conservative evangelical pastors I was filming - the most ardent supporters of the country's now infamous Anti-Homosexuality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/while-shooting-in-uganda-in-2011-the-conservative-evangelical-pastors/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [I grew up in a Southern Baptist-style church with a choir, a band, and music, but I've been asking myself my whole life, 'Why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-grew-up-in-a-southern-baptist-style-church-with-a-choir-a-band-and/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [My mother worked as a maid, cleaning the fraternity dorm of the local college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/my-mother-worked-as-a-maid-cleaning-the-fraternity-dorm-of-the-local/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As Mike Bickle said to me, there is a spiritual battle going on in the world, and he believes that in America marriage between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/as-mike-bickle-said-to-me-there-is-a-spiritual-battle-going-on-in-the/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [I agree that Scott Lively is marginal, and that is exactly why evangelicals must not let him speak for them. But in Uganda, Scott…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-agree-that-scott-lively-is-marginal-and-that-is-exactly-why/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [Racism is a global problem and it is as damaging to Whites as it is to non-Whites. Everyone must fight against it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/racism-is-a-global-problem-and-it-is-as-damaging-to-whites-as-it-is/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [ I both didn't know Owen \[Suskind\] beforehand and didn't have any connection to the autistic community. But Owen wasn't really a problem, because he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-both-didn-t-know-owen-suskind-beforehand-and-didn-t-have-any/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [I grew up in the church, and I went into the production of 'God Loves Uganda' intending to raise awareness of the abuse of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-grew-up-in-the-church-and-i-went-into-the-production-of-god-loves/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [I began filming 'God Loves Uganda' by first meeting some of the Ugandan and American missionaries who have helped create Uganda's evangelical movement. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-began-filming-god-loves-uganda-by-first-meeting-some-of-the-ugandan/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [Even after I won the Oscar, my phone did not ring. No one called me to fund films or offer projects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/even-after-i-won-the-oscar-my-phone-did-not-ring-no-one-called-me-to/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [Racism was never acceptable to the people who suffer from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/racism-was-never-acceptable-to-the-people-who-suffer-from-it/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [While growing up, I lived in my own fantasy world. I had kind of a rough childhood, so I created my own reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/while-growing-up-i-lived-in-my-own-fantasy-world-i-had-kind-of-a/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) [Explore all 103 Roger Ross Williams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) ## More Destination quotes > [It is a sweet thing that we serve a dissatisfied God who has destinations in mind for us that we would never choose for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/it-is-a-sweet-thing-that-we-serve-a-dissatisfied-god-who-has/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [Loving yourself is a journey, not a destination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-holliday/loving-yourself-is-a-journey-not-a-destination/) [Tess Holliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-holliday/) > [Love is a voyage,not a destination ! <3](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-a-voyage-not-a-destination-3/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [And also I think the rise of other, you could say, destinations for international jihadis mean that Pakistan isn't necessarily the place where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/and-also-i-think-the-rise-of-other-you-could-say-destinations-for/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [“The final destination is death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-final-destination-is-death/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [It was often this way, life consisted of a series of false beginnings, bluff declarations of arrival to destinations not even glimpsed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-lethem/it-was-often-this-way-life-consisted-of-a-series-of-false-beginnings/) [Jonathan Lethem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-lethem/) > [India should emerge as a destination that attracts people to invest here, which, in turn, will give a boost to investment, industrial growth and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-thakur/india-should-emerge-as-a-destination-that-attracts-people-to-invest/) [Anurag Thakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-thakur/) > [Do you want to make progress? If so, then take each problem not as a challenging rival, but as an encouraging friend of yours,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/do-you-want-to-make-progress-if-so-then-take-each-problem-not-as-a/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [We make a lot of detours, but we're always heading for the same destination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/we-make-a-lot-of-detours-but-we-re-always-heading-for-the-same/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“As you travel along the roads in life, there is a certain kind of peace that comes with knowing you're on the right path.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amaka-nkosazana/as-you-travel-along-the-roads-in-life-there-is-a-certain-kind-of/) [Amaka Nkosazana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amaka-nkosazana/) > [Without a destination in mind, every road will be a dead end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhiess-krieg/without-a-destination-in-mind-every-road-will-be-a-dead-end/) [Jhiess Krieg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhiess-krieg/) > [“If you’ve been there, done that, gotten the t-shirt, isn’t it time to move on to a new destination? Don’t waste a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/if-you-ve-been-there-done-that-gotten-the-t-shirt-isn-t-it-time-to/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [The soil is the great connector of our lives, the source and destination of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-soil-is-the-great-connector-of-our-lives-the-source-and/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [Maine out of season is unmistakably a great destination: hospitable, good-humored, plenty of elbow room, short days, dark nights of crackling ice crystals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/maine-out-of-season-is-unmistakably-a-great-destination-hospitable/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [Science sees the process of evolution from the outside, as one might a train of cars going by, and resolves it into the physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burroughs/science-sees-the-process-of-evolution-from-the-outside-as-one-might-a/) [John Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burroughs/) [Browse all 1,154 Destination quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destination/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I didn't know the extent of American obsession with Uganda until I got there and saw it. 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