“…tragedy struck when we were attacked by armed men… I watched in horror as they mercilessly took my father’s life and forced me to escort them, carrying their belongings, for about 150 km over 10 days…”

As a 19-year-old in South Kivu, DRC, back in 2007, my life held so much promise. My father, a journalist, instilled in me lofty ambitions and dreams.

However, tragedy struck when we were attacked by armed men. I watched in horror as they mercilessly took my father’s life and forced me to escort them, carrying their belongings, for about 150 km over 10 days.

Fleeing from that nightmare, I found myself in Masisi, North Kivu, DRC. Despite having completed my secondary school education, the ongoing conflict forced me to seek refuge in Kisoro, Uganda.

Becoming a refugee shattered all my aspirations. Suddenly, I was in a foreign land, far from home, where Swahili, my mother tongue, was unheard of.

The struggle to communicate in English and Luganda was overwhelming. I vividly remember spending three desperate days at the Old Kampala police station, feeling lost and hopeless.

Eventually, I managed to connect with the Congolese community in Kampala, seeking solace in a church in Kibuli, Makindye.

It was there that I spent nearly two years, grappling with the unfamiliar language and culture while trying to rebuild my shattered dreams.

In 2010, I began contemplating my future. Despite facing numerous setbacks, including the tragic loss of a promised supporter, I refused to give up.

Although my initial ambition was to join Kampala International University (KIU), circumstances led me down a different path.

I found myself working in a night bar as part of the management, in Kampala for three years, merely trying to make ends meet.

However, even amidst the challenges, I seized every opportunity for personal growth. It had to be intentional.

I attended various training courses, including one on trauma healing, which ignited my passion for community service.

Eventually, I became a volunteer, offering my time to assist others in need. In 2018, I embarked on a new chapter, participating in media training with JUMUIYA for four months. While my journey didn’t unfold as I had envisioned, I refused to abandon my dreams.

Today, despite the hardships endured over the past 16 years, I am proud to serve as the Program Manager at the Congolese Refugee Community in Uganda (CRCU).

I also have the privilege of contributing to Congolese Refugee Media, a platform that amplifies the voices of our community. Through perseverance and resilience, I have come to realize that dreams can indeed become a reality, even if the path is fraught with obstacles.

My journey may have taken unexpected turns, but I remain steadfast in my pursuit of a brighter future, both for myself and for my community.