Our peaceful life was shattered in 2010 when armed men invaded our home in Congo, killing my father and twin brother, Frank. We fled our home and embarked on a perilous journey to Uganda. My experiences as a refugee shaped my passion for helping others.
The Narrative of Francois Bulambo alias ‘Golden Franks’
By Francois Bulambo
I was born on December 12, 2000, in Mwenga, Sud-Kivu province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. My childhood was filled with joy and laughter, surrounded by my parents, Mr. Bulambo Pierre and Mrs. Christine Bisobekwa, and my five siblings. However, our peaceful life was shattered in 2010 when armed men invaded our home, killing my father and twin brother, Frank. The traumatic experience left an indelible mark on my life.
With my mother’s courage and determination, we fled our home and embarked on a perilous journey to Uganda. The two-year journey was arduous, but we finally found refuge in Owino, Uganda. We were taken in by a kind church lady, Mama Maua, who provided us with shelter and support. Later, we reunited with our stepmother in Lubiri Mengo.
In Uganda, I faced new challenges as a refugee. I struggled to adapt to a new language and culture, but my determination to succeed drove me forward. I completed my primary education at Hope Orphanage Primary School in Kiwenda-Gayaza and later attended Nsambya Parents Primary School. I excelled in my studies and completed my O-Level at Kampala Apostolic Secondary School and A-Level at Nsambya Secondary School.
My experiences as a refugee shaped my passion for helping others. I began volunteering with the SGBV Men and Boys Group at InterAid, an NGO supporting refugees. I also participated in community activities, such as sensitization and peace promotion campaigns. In 2017, I joined Mindleaps, an NGO that teaches ballet to refugees and street kids, developing cognitive skills like memorization, teamwork, and self-esteem.
As I grew, so did my impact. I became a ballet instructor, community mobilizer, and interpreter for UNHCR and OPM. I promoted the World Table Tennis Day under the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and worked with the Raise Chess Academy in Nakivale Refugee Settlements.
Currently, I am the project manager of Refugees Talent Group (RTG), implementing the “My neighbor is my first community” project. This project promotes social coexistence among refugees and host communities, supported by Global Youth Refugee Network (GRYN), Norwegian Refugees Council (NRC), and other partners under Digniti fund.
Music is also a passion of mine! In my free time, I love to create music and make beats. By the time this story is published, I will have over 8 unreleased songs and 4 officially released audios on my YouTube channel under the names “Golden Franks”. Music is a way for me to express myself and tell my story in a different way.
I have been featured by several local TV stations and local media spaces in Kampala and I hope with my music, I can as well bring some bit of hope to the world.
My journey has been marked by resilience, hope, and determination. From facing war and displacement to finding purpose and making a difference, my story is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity.
