“…when you mention that you are a refugee, even the person that had respected you for the first time, they start seeing you as vulnerable there and then. You end up feeling too small…”
Refugees, born and raised in refugee camps, often encounter challenges during their reintegration into mainstream society. Many choose to settle in urban centres like Kampala, facing tasks as seemingly simple as crossing main highways, navigating markets, or sharing hostel rooms with others, which can be daunting.
This reintegration process reflects the resilience and adaptability of individuals seeking refuge, as well as the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders providing support for their integration into host communities.
Safali Libia, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a case in point. Although not born in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, he ended up there with his family at a young age. As an adult, he sought further education and moved out. However, reintegrating into Ugandan society posed challenges, including cultural adjustments, educational gaps, and social stigmas accompanying the transition.
Libia shared his experience, highlighting the struggle of straddling two worlds—preserving his heritage while adapting to new norms. “The situation is not always easy because you meet people for the first time living totally differently. The standards of living, the language, culture, finances, it’s always hard,” Mr. Libia said.
Despite studying a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Makerere University, under the Mastercard Foundation scholars’ program, Libia faced discrimination due to his refugee status. “When you mention that you are a refugee, even the person that had respected you for the first time, they start seeing you as vulnerable there and then. You end up feeling too small,” he noted.
Language barriers also added to the challenges. Libia, who spoke Kinyarwisha and Kiswahili at the camp, faced discrimination for not quickly adapting to the local language. “As a refugee, you enter an area where there is language barrier. You don’t know any of the local languages, and when you use English only, they start thinking that you are bragging around,” Mr. Libia explained.
The social aspect proved difficult too, with challenges in making friends outside the camp. Libia expressed, “When you reach campus, people want to interact with those adding value to them. They want to befriend kids from rich families, but as a refugee, it became very difficult for me unless those who felt empathy.”
Academic hurdles further complicated Libia’s journey, delaying his expected graduation. “When people are thinking of academics, as a refugee, we spend time thinking of other challenges at home. The people we could be supporting, the problems, local issues, among others,” he said.
Arthur Musombwa Masimango, a community leader and program manager with the Congolese Refugee Community in Uganda, highlighted the challenges in refugee settlements. “The settlement is different from Kampala. In Kampala, there are many opportunities, but if you are getting settlement in Kampala, it will be very difficult because there is a language barrier,” Mr. Masimango explained.
He also emphasized the bureaucratic hurdles refugees face in modern societies, where letters of recommendation are required for access to services. “Their lives become very difficult,” he added, noting that the government is taking positive steps but urging equal opportunities for all.
Libia echoed these sentiments, calling for equal opportunities in employment and extensive psychosocial support. “After school, we don’t know relatives. I would only call for equal rights, to be sure I am getting employment somewhere after school like any other normal person,” he said.
Libia hopes his voice can inspire understanding and compassion, shedding light on the hurdles faced and triumphs achieved in his endeavour to contribute meaningfully to his newfound society.
