Asylum Access

A Refugee's Testimony: "Samuel"

Country of Origin: Uganda
Training / Education: O and A level British standard
SAFER Specialty : Conflict Resolution, HIV / AIDS
Activities in RSA: Arts and Crafts

How did you become a refugee?
I left Uganda because of the fear and the pressure. I was born during the war and grew up during the war in Luwelo district. This was during Museveni?s war, from about 1981 to 1986, the war that brought him to power. I lost a lot of family members, including uncles. When the elections came in 2001, we saw that there was the possibility of another conflict that would affect my family, so I left.

Please describe your journey away from home and to South Africa.
I came to South Africa by bus. I traveled from Uganda to Kenya, Kenya to Tanzania, and on to Zimbabwe. I used my Ugandan passport but kept my identity to myself. You don?t know where you are going or where you will end up. It?s a long way and you don?t know what will happen at home.

Please describe your process of receiving Refugee Status Determination.
Home Affairs was not dealing with one person. It was hectic, but you have to keep going. I received an appointment after visiting the office four times. I received my asylum seeker permit three or four months later. Two years later, in 2005, I received my refugee status. I did not have a problem with treatment at the office. You have to be patient. After receiving refugee status it took me seven months to receive a refugee ID book.

Please describe your experience in your new country of South Africa.
Challenging. South Africa is a country with its problems. When you come here, the problems in the other country are not the same problems here. So you have that challenge. You must be strong and see the way forward. I used to stay in Gugulethu township for almost two years but the treatment was not good. Townships are full of instabilities. I moved to Observatory because it was safer. I work with a friend of mine who is an artist from Uganda and sell arts and crafts. When things are stable I will go back, but I don?t know when that will be.