A new mast. 11 m. First we cut the old one. I failed to find the cats for a security lock-up, and only on the video (watch it) I saw Mlawatu running in the orbit of the falling mast. Masts are kalitunsi (eucalyptus) trees. Charles and me looked around in the vicinity and we finally judged I should talk to the neighbour's neighbour, for he had a tree we could use:

We agreed I would pay 14 euro, a fortune, our previous mast had cost 4.50 euro. This photo is taken from our dhow

Markus, a German, then American, now Ugandan cowboy, cut trees before.

Charles,, experienced Tanzanian sailor, had peeled the bark off, chiselled the hole for the halyard wheel at the top (here left) and a square at the bottom to fit in a square hole in the mustamu. I mounted the halyard and the four stays

Between the photo above, showing Charles' excellent preparation of the mast, and the previous one, there had been a typical African incident: Charles had gone off to Mwanza to stay for a week or two and come back with 200 m² of heavy dhow sail cotton, not for sale in Uganda, there available for the incredible price of euro 0.75 per m². He left with the money. Three days before his planned return I got a phone call from Charles. He wanted to introduce a friend. I might be interested to have him as one of my sailors. If I liked the idea I could send another euro 50/= for a new passport and travel cost of the guy. I sent the money. That was the last I heard from Charles. His Mwanza phone rang, but he did not take it. I saw no reason to try and call from another number.  [later update on this below] 

I hired a crane for 15 times the price of the mast

Testing the new mast was Mlawatu's first priority

Until a few weeks ago, our new mast grew between the two long eucalyptus trees in the mid-background

Later Update on the End of Charles

End of November 2011, Charles left with the money for sail cloth, travel to Mwanza and back to Kampala
One month later he was supposed to return, but did not shown up, did not call and did not answer the phone.
Two months later the money apparently got finished: I got an SMS stating he had a total inundation of his house, had been in big trouble, but was now ready to come. My SMS (in kiswahili):

Do you still have your money for travelling? Did you buy the sailing cloth?

No answer. Again two months later the money apparently was even more seriously finished. I got an SMS

BOSI,NINAJUA.LILIFANYAMAKOSA.A LAKINI NINAOMBA SANA SANA NITAFANYA KAZIMPAKA MIEZIMITANO BILA MSHAHALA.ASANTE SANA

(Oh my dear boss, I know I made a mistake, but I want very very much to work for you in May for free, thank you very much.) Needless to say, I was supposed to send him new travel money first...