Samira Sanni is feeling thankful after conducting fieldwork with refugees in northern Uganda. She is a pursuing a master's degree in global development at NMBU via the Norpart programme.
I am Samira Sanni, a student at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences pursing a Master's in Global Development. I am a member of the Norwegian Partnership Programme for Global Academic Cooperation (NORPART). This is a glance of my fieldtrip to northern Uganda.
On the 14 of January 2024, I embarked on an academic journey to Uganda, the pride of Africa. My stay in this city came with unforgettable memories. I loved the fact that everywhere was clean: the marketplaces, the streets, everywhere. I tried some of the local food such as ugali, chapati, pilau, and a few other local delicacies.
I stayed in Adjumani, which is one of the refugee host communities in northern Uganda. It hosts over 20 refugee settlements. I was privileged to visit three of these settlements, namely: Boroli I and II, and Olua I. Over here, I met some of the amazing people of South Sudan. I had the privilege to engage with people who had seen it all. People who fled their homes to seek refuge in a foreign land. People who had no hope of ever going home. People who have been traumatized and, because of their inability to fend for their families, have suicidal thoughts or have attempted suicide.
The conditions in these settlements does not make it easy for them. Especially with the recent cuts in aid, many refugees are left with little to nothing. Whilst the majority receive 14,000 Ugandan shillings (equivalent to 1,200 NOK) per month, others are completely cut off from receiving any financial support. For these people, life has become very difficult.
Food is a problem as most of the people only can afford one meal a day. In my interactions, one woman boldly stated that she would rather go to South Sudan and die than stay in the refugee camp and die of hunger. This and many other stories broke my heart. It made me rethink my life and made me grateful for all that I have.
By the end of this journey, I have not only accomplished my academic goals but have also gained a lifelong experience. This will forever be part of my story and I am grateful to NORPART for making this possible. To my supervisors Shai Divon and Stephen, I say thank you. To the people in Uganda who made my journey easy, Dr. Solomon, Dr. Prossy, Dr. Arthur and the Office of the Prime Minister, Adjumani District, I say thank you.
