Rindo Afuwah, Youth Officer Kampala Central division said that in their interactions with refugees, especially the urban based, they have found that among their cries is economic exploitation right from the land Lords, in the markets, schools and any other services they are accessing.
Ms. Afuwah said that “The nationals think, especially the Somalis and Sudanese that they have a lot of money. So when they go to school, we have a lady (Refugee) who said as nationals are paying Ugx 200,000 for their children in private school, she was made to pay Ugx 390,000 and when she tries to ask why, they say if you don’t pay this you can leave with your child. So, to us, that is being unfair.”
She added that even when they go to markets where nationals are buying tomatoes at Ugx 1000, they sell to them at Ugx 5000, and with markets, they resorted to creating their own spaces where they do shopping. Come to transport, Boda Bodas especially charge them different. Thus, they have resorted to using TukuTukus, and once a while, you could see a Somali using these normal BodaBodas. Why? They are being exploited. The case is the same when using Taxis, when they pay conductors, they give them less balance, and they would turn in the language that they don’t understand.
‘’Of recent, we have a case of an old woman who was saying that the garbage collectors as her neighbours were paying Ugx 1000, she was made to pay 5000 because of her being aggressive when she tried to ask why, and they ended pushing one another.’’ Ms. Afuwah stated
Ms. Afuwah believes that this could be addressed sensitizing communities to understand that being a refugee is not for application.
“They are here because of circumstances and situations in their country, and everyone is a potential refugee, so people should be treated equally.”
“My only appeal to refugees is that they should abide and live within laws. We can only fight for their rights and protect them when they are also living in an upright manner according to the Ugandan laws.
Ms. Afuwah was speaking to Ugnewsline.com in an interview shortly after the meeting between Kampala Central division youth leaders and officials from Ngabo Youth Friendly Services Initiative, a youth led based organization
Ms. Afuwah also talked about the growing concern among the young people when it comes to sustaining their small businesses.
“Businesses in the country, it is not only the young people who are struggling to have their businesses celebrate birthdays, even adults. I think the culture of business in the city is not very simple. The terrain is not very smooth, but all we need to do is that if you have moved to support a young person, let’s try to walk the journey with them, making follow-ups, and giving technical guidance.”
She also urged the government to consider giving start-up businesses a gross period for them to begin paying taxes and licenses.
