I’m a 29-year-old male from Uganda, born in the city of Iganga. I come from a modest Muslim family, one of ten children. Growing up was challenging due to our limited resources. Our parents struggled to provide for our basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, and medical care, a problem further compounded by the government’s inability to assist.
Despite these hardships, I attended school, though I often lacked the funds for school fees, books, and other materials. When I was old enough to work, a friend offered me a job opportunity. I didn’t think twice before accepting, eager to earn money and improve my situation.
It’s particularly difficult because I have a family of seven who depend on my support. The distance from my family, friends, and relatives is distressing. My family is struggling significantly due to my absence, as my children can’t attend school because there are no funds for their fees and their mother can’t cope alone.
Being in detention is a sad and challenging experience for me. It’s particularly difficult because I have a family of seven who depend on my support. The distance from my family, friends, and relatives is distressing. My family is struggling significantly due to my absence, as my children can’t attend school because there are no funds for their fees and their mother can’t cope alone.
My incarceration has deprived me of many things, like freedom and internet access, which hampers my ability to do anything. I often don’t receive visitors because I’m in a foreign country, a place I’ve never been before. This is also my first time in prison, and I’ve never encountered a situation like this in my life.
At times, I find myself crying, longing to be home with my family, knowing that my children, wife, parents, relatives, and friends are also yearning for my return. This summarizes the sadness and hardship I’m experiencing in prison due to my unfortunate circumstances.
Watch out who you befriend on social media
I want to warn others, including friends and relatives, not to make the same mistakes I did, as it is easy to fall into this trap. Please be cautious with social media, as it can lead to dangerous situations such as entrapment or kidnapping.
Beware of seeking quick and easy money, as I did. My background of poverty led me to seek such opportunities, which put me in my current predicament. So, be wary of bad friends. It’s important to understand a friend’s character before getting involved with them.
Instead of seeking an easy life, it’s better to find an honest job. I urge my friends, relatives, and everyone else to learn contentment with what we have, and understand that we can make the most of even the little we have. I confess that I intend to become a better person upon my release.
Note: This letter has been edited to correct spelling and grammar.
