LIBERIA-UGANDA Umaru Swaray, “Alone and isolated by other refugees”

Umaru Swaray, 33, was a child soldier during Liberia’s civil war. Separated from his family, he walked for months crossing the continent to Uganda, searching for his family, who had escaped the war. He found them in Kampala in 2004 – on the day they were leaving for the Netherlands.

Swaray’s parents and nine brothers had been granted refugee status by the Dutch government but their reunion came too late for him. IRIN spoke to him at Nakivale refugee settlement in western Uganda:

“My mother was holding me so tight in her arms and wouldn’t stop crying. I knew there was something she didn’t have the courage to tell me.

“We were too many, the government said. So I had to stay in Uganda.

“It was hard to hold back the tears while telling my mother not to worry about me, that it was for the best. That at least they would be fine.

“One day we will be together again, I told her. But I wonder if that will ever happen.

“I have learned a trade to make a living. I worked as a barber for some time in Kampala. But when I was threatened by a Liberian, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees decided to send me to Nakivale to ensure my personal safety.

“I have lived here since 2008, in a mud hut which I built myself. I have a small garden where I grow cassava and other vegetables. This small house reminds me of the one I was in with my family in Bomi county, Liberia.

“Life is hard here. I don’t feel good here. I am the only Liberian in the settlement and as such I am isolated from the other people living here. I tried to mingle with the Congolese, my mother is Congolese after all; with Somalis and Rwandans, but everyone sticks to his own people. I have no friends.

“I wish I could find a single friend among them, someone to talk to. I wish I could at least do what I love, open a barber shop. But I am too afraid even to try. I am sure no-one would come to me. Here everyone goes to the shops of people belonging to their tribal affiliation. Why would they go to a Liberian?

“So the only thing I wish for myself is be able to join my family and have a normal life, just like everyone else.

“I was told this may not be possible. Since I am too scared for my life to go back to Liberia, I have no other option than to stay here. At least I feel safe here.

“I would go anywhere, anywhere, if I could find some peace of mind. Every man needs that.”

cp/eo/mw