It is a good time to be in my own country; what is all this hate for foreigners around the world? Well, around the world but Uganda.
I don’t know who programmed us to be hospitable to visitors – and this is in every culture – but Ugandans reserve their best manners, best cutlery, best linens, best everything, “for the visitors”.
So, for someone visiting the country, we are indeed possibly the most hospitable country on earth. It does not help matters that we lived through decades of political turbulence, where almost every family had a member living somewhere in exile.
And that changes you; no wonder, Uganda is also one of the most refugee-friendly countries in the world. We know what it means home being no longer comfortable and safe, and someone was there for us.
And as insecurity and wars kick up in all corners of the world, it is inevitable that the refugee population the world over is growing. So many people are fleeing fighting in their countries and settling in Africa, Europe and the Americas.
But the attitude of most European and American countries towards refugees and immigrants is heartbreaking, these days. I read the news and wonder whether these racist people are aware that their own countrymen and women are also scattered all over the world as immigrants?
Well, we have reverent names for them here: expatriates. But they are really immigrants, and we accord them the best services and hospitality to ensure they do not miss home too much.
But you only have to open a news website to see the vitriol aimed at foreigners, especially Africans. But war is war; no one ever invites it to their door. Today it is Gaza, Syria or D.R Congo, and tomorrow the unthinkable could be right at your doorstep and you need another country to play “sister’s keeper”.
And it is more interesting that those who are racist and bigots are hiding behind the Word of God to justify their stand. Well, the Bible says in Isaiah 45, that it is God who creates peace and the same God that creates calamity. Be careful, for He is a God that is also no respecter of persons!
About the Author
