In the crowded streets of Kampala, life can be tough. ‘Bwofuna visa genda’ (as soon as you get a visa, depart the country) becomes the day’s anthem. Every corner you turn, you hear people whispering about leaving Uganda in search of a better life abroad. It’s like a song that everyone knows the words to, a dream that seems to shine brighter than anything else. Maybe they’re right, maybe they’re… just hold on a minute, before you spend all your savings chasing that dream abroad, let’s chat.

There’s no denying it, life in Uganda is no piece of cake. For a good portion of Ugandans, securing any form of employment is a struggle, more apparent for university graduates, for whom searching for opportunities has become a full-time effort. Even then, only a few who are lucky enough to secure opportunities or hustle their way in barely earn enough to cover the necessities of life.

On the other hand, landing a formal, well-paying job can feel like searching for a lost sock in a messy house, leaving many households with the constant worry of putting food on the table every night (enkya tunalya ki?)

Meanwhile, the 12.86% of graduates who manage to secure formal jobs find that renting a decent house plus coping with basic utilities—especially unreliable UEDCL electricity, a whole different story— takes up most of their salary. Many now eye the informal sector they once zealously fought to escape.

Faced with difficult economic conditions, families are burdened with the hard choice of whether they can keep their children in school. Some, confronted with the harsh reality of their situation, have had to give up on their children’s education. These boys and girls now work alongside their parents on Kikuubo Lane as shop attendants and overseers. All this stems from rising living costs and stagnant wages. It’s a harsh reality that many Ugandans face day in and day out.

For the working people of Kampala, getting sick can be a major setback, since facing a medical examiner can feel like running into a robber, if you know what I mean. Even a minor illness can drain your savings, if you have one. And if you’re thinking of working online while you recover, think again: the costly internet in Uganda moves slower than a snail on a Sunday stroll.

Let’s face it, life in Uganda isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s a daily hustle, a constant negotiation with reality. But here’s the question: is life abroad really a guaranteed paradise? Sure, the grass might look greener on the other side, but it probably needs watering there too.

Think about it. You might escape the power cuts and dust in Kampala, but what about the sky-high rent in some foreign city, where missing rent could cost you everything? Opportunities may be plenty, yet you could find yourself working double shifts just to keep a roof over your head. In those cities, when rent is due, eviction follows; no explanations, as often it’s here. Do you have what it takes for that kind of hustle? Even if the pay is good, is that constant grind really what you want?

Sure, healthcare might seem better abroad, but navigating a whole new system, mostly unfamiliar policies, can be a nightmare in itself. Remember, with great opportunities come great responsibilities. Pursuing foreign dreams often entails starting from scratch and building a new life far from the comfort of loved ones and familiar faces. It can be isolating and even depressing.

Can we talk about those bazungus abandoning dreams greener than the American one to settle in places we’re trying to escape? Are they just on vibes, or are they also running from the pressure back home?

Yes, life in Uganda can be challenging, and it’s natural to dream of a better life abroad. But the good news is that the problems we face, even if it’s hard to admit, even for this author, aren’t unbeatable.

Coming together as Ugandans—with what we have, where we are, and whatever we can—we can create a brighter future filled with opportunities and a supportive work environment for ourselves and our children. And while going abroad might be an option for some, it’s not the only path to success. After all, we can’t all go abroad, and, as the author hesitantly admits, not everyone who has succeeded in Uganda went abroad or joined politics.

So next time you hear ‘Bwofuna visa genda,’ remember that Uganda has its own story; one where opportunities are limited, and it’s up to us to create them, even when the systems and circumstances seem to scream otherwise. Together, we can rewrite this story so our children don’t have to sing the same song. Let’s roll up our sleeves, chase our dreams, and build the Uganda we know it can be. There’s no place like home, and home is where we fight for our dreams, side by side.

Want more honest content like this? Join our WhatsApp channel for more!