When Ugandans living abroad send their pictures back home, they are admired by many. When they visit they are the talk of town. But beyond these pictures and grandeur lies a tough life that only the strong can survive. Paul Byuuma a Ugandan living in Canada, shares his experience with life since he arrived in the country.
The beginnings
My name is Paul Byuuma.I live in downtown Stephan Calgary.My life in Canada has not been easy.First of all, to travel from one place to another is difficult yet it is an expensive process and place.
Most of the time there is no money yet you have to struggle to change your life,to be able to look after your family.
The problem I faced I came to a new place and the people I had to meet were new,the life is new and everything that I was going to move around and everything that surrounded me was new.In my life I found many challenge especially in communication.When I had just left Uganda I first reached a place called Louisiana.That place has very few people.Most of them speak French.In my life I knew two languages English and Luganda.You know in Canada they use English and French so I got a problem.I was there for like three weeks.Then I moved to Calgary where I am now.Most of the time I did not move around in that place because of language challenges.Even when I said let me go to the supermarket I did not have how I could access things.
I felt so lonely like I had never felt before.I have never ostracized in my life.I was like someone who had been chased from everything because of the life that was there.I would want to get involved in something but you couldn’t.So I saw life was so challenging but I accepted in my heart that whatever I was going to find would be new in my heart.I had to think how I could exist,how life would be.After three weeks,I was collected and taken to Calgary.In Calgary they speak English.
Work life in Canada
Paul Byuuma in Calgary
Basically it is better nowadays.I do not have one steady job that this is what I do daily.I find today I am doing this tomorrow that depending on the time and my strength.I do work for four hours. If I see that it is bringing a lot of money I keep doing it.I used to despise these jobs in Uganda yet now I am doing it.I do it with energy,with love because I found that it is what I get for eating and to take care of my family and to pay school fees for children.
I never have free time because any free time I get I make sure that it is productive.I do not want to rest a lot.The years are going.I want to use these years.I do what I can and I know that I will do them.I use all the time. The time when I rest I can go to the beach or watch movies when I come by early. Challenges in my life I faced a challenge to enter a new life,to get used or adapt to these new things in a new society is difficult.You find life is different than in Uganda.
Final words
Paul Byuuma’s wife
For my last words I want to send greetings to my wife Nabuuko Jane who gave me a nice child Nabaweesi Jane Collide.I greet my parents Was Daniel and Nakirijja Robinah,my brothers Kaweesi Edward, Saazi Daniel and ,Katongole James.My sisters Namugabo Brenda,Nampijja Milly and all the others.I love them.
Paul Byuuma’s daughter
I want to give advice to the youngsters those who despise jobs and they do not work,in this world.We cannot remain in the same years.Whenever we grow our needs increase and we cannot do without working.You will get a family when you leave the days of your youth.Do not play with your years now.When you reach old age,who will look after you? A time will come when you have to look after yourself and your family.Now someone might be looking after you but your time will come. Do not despise jobs.The jobs I was despising at home are the ones I am doing now that lead me to where I am.
Our luck is different. If I had got the chance to come here I would have remained in Uganda despising those jobs.
To send your story from abroad, contact Frank Ntambi on +256770943657
