Uganda Archives - No Más Mulas

A shocking deception

I’m Ugandan by nationality and 40 years old. I’m a father of three precious children, living in Uganda with my wife. I was arrested in January 2023 at Hong Kong Airport by customs officials after they found dangerous drugs on my clothing during a search. I was charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs in a Hong Kong court after realizing that it was illegal. I am writing this letter to appeal to all people, friends, and relatives: please don’t be influenced by friends or social media to get involved in dangerous drugs.

I was born and raised in a family that was full of poverty. Because of this, I was forced to struggle a lot to take care of myself and my younger siblings, as I am the fifth of eleven children. My parents were poor and couldn’t afford to educate me or my older brothers. I suffered a lot to help my parents care for and educate my siblings, and it was my dream to work hard to educate my children to the level they want, which I have failed to attain.

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CAUTION: Easy money doesn’t pay

I am a 38-year-old woman, born in Kampala, Uganda. My father had six children with my stepmother, and nine children with my mother. My siblings and I are not close, nor were they close to my mother.

Our family situation was not favorable and we lacked everything. My father was a government army soldier with a modest income that barely covered our household expenses. From an early age, I understood that I had to work hard to survive.

I was in Form 4 in high school when our father disappeared and left us without income. We did not know why or where he had gone. Even the army was looking for him. We were left destitute.

One day, I decided to run away from home due to the tough conditions we were facing. I was separated from my family for seven years without them knowing my whereabouts. By the time I returned, I had missed most of my middle school years.

Continue reading CAUTION: Easy money doesn’t pay

Will I ever see my children again?

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.

Continue reading Will I ever see my children again?