Ugandan Youth in Boston

INTRODUCTION

After Nigeria, Ethiopia and Kenya, Uganda follows in terms of remittances from the diaspora. It is estimated that close to a $1 billion is remitted annually from diaspora to the Ugandan economy. At least 30 percent of this remittance comes from youth. It is therefore important to begin some discussion on the phenomena of youth in Africa and the diaspora. What coping strategies do youth deploy as they negotiate their livelihoods in the challenging realities in the diaspora? Can the youth in diaspora provide a model for the rest on how to cope with reality in diaspora vis-à-vis their home country? Ugandan youth in the Greater Boston area of the state of Massachusetts will provide a case study for this conversation.

UGANDAN YOUTH ON THE MOVE: IN QUEST OF “GREEN-GOLD”

While no exact figures are available on how many Ugandan youth are in Boston, a rough estimate would put the figure at about 1,000. How did such a large number of Uganda youth come to Boston? They are part of the vibrant Ugandan community in Boston that is estimated at 2000. Beginning with the early 1990s following the infamous Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP), many Ugandans left for “greener pastures” in search of employment in USA and Britain. A sector has emerged humorously referred to as “Kyeyo” (a Luganda word for broom —hence suggesting that the people who leave are ready to do any kind of available job including sweeping houses). “Kyeyo” is just a metaphor for all kinds of jobs including driving, teaching, nursing, security, etc. What is exciting about this “Kyeyo” political economy is that people engage in any kind of job available regardless of previous qualifications. It is not uncommon to find a doctor serving as a nurse, a university lecturer managing a restaurant, a police personnel serving as a driver. The common concern is to earn some US dollars or “Green Gold”, as the US currency is referred to.

Ugandan youth initially came along with their parents and some came on their own. Some of the youth are taking care of their sibling following the devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic. The Uganda youth in Boston, just like the older Ugandans, are engaged in all kinds of jobs to earn a living. It should be pointed out that the youth are more flexible and hence can get employment in a more diverse sectors than their older parents or siblings.

RELIGION AS SOCIAL CAPITAL

As John Mbiti, the famous African philosopher and theologian, once put it, “Africans are notoriously religious.” A way to the Africans heart is through religion. Ugandan youth in Boston are no exception to this rule. Most of them are affiliated to one religion of their choice. The largest religious group is the Uganda Catholic Community in the Archdiocese of Boston (UCCAB). This faith-based organization is probably the most dynamic diaspora religious group of Ugandans. They are located in Waltham MA and are affiliated to St. Mary’s Parish where they gather for worship, meetings and celebrations of all kinds of events. The most important celebration they hold is the famous Uganda Martyrs Feast that takes place on June 3, but for the sake of getting a Catholic bishop from Uganda, they usually celebrate this feast a few days after that date.

What looks like an ordinary celebration has great economic and social benefits. Many youth take advantage of this celebration that attracts about 1000 pilgrims to Boston to show case their talents and organizational skills. Entertainment is usually provided by Ugandan youth by way of drama, dance and music. Other Ugandan youth travel from other states to join this colorful event. Most importantly, some other youth from Uganda use this opportunity to get a visa to visit the USA and some opt to stay! Such a celebration also serves to bring cohesion and a spirit of unity among Ugandans. The challenges of diaspora can are best faced when people are able to meet and share their experiences.

The other major strategy that helps the youth to bond is the active participation in worship. The Ugandan youth have a committee in the UCCAB and they are allotted a space in the schedule to organize worship or liturgy for the wider community. When the worship is conducted, a meal is also shared.

BUSINESS VENTURES

Ugandan youth are very enterprising. Some of them are engage in business such as music and video production. Some bring some items from Uganda for sale under informal arrangements, true to Uganda’s vibrant informal sector. One group of youth have even set up a Radio Station in Boston! A few of the youth are employed in businesses run by older Ugandans such as the Karibu Restaurant—a famous food joint that serves local Ugandan dishes in Waltham.

EMPLOYMENT

A large percentage of Ugandan youth work as nurses in nursing homes—the most lucrative job available. On average a nurse earns between 10-20 $ USD per hour. This is much more than what a University lecturer earns in most African countries! This explains why the appeal to join “Kyeyo” economy is great. From such earnings youth are able to buy land and build houses back home in Uganda. Others are able to educate their siblings.

EDUCATION: LONG-TERM INVESTMENT

Some of the youth do resist the temptation of quick money gains and instead go to school in some of the best universities in New England: Brandeis, University of Massachusetts, Harvard, Boston College and Holy Cross. Those with American education, clearly stand the chance of joining main-stream US economic and social system.

WHAT LIES AHEAD?

It is too early to discern what contribution the Ugandan youth in Boston will contribute to their home country and to the US society. But one thing is sure: they provide a model for other youth in diaspora to emulate: keeping in touch with one’s culture and religious background; how to settle in foreign land; creativity in employment; long-term investment in education; and gainful use of remittance back home.

The impulse to move from Africa in search of green pastures is not about to stop given the increasing globalization. Even when there are prospects that African economies are likely to continue to grow at a steady pace, the African youth will continue to look beyond their borders. The Western economies are still facing a labor deficit, a reality that will continue to lure African youth to the West.

The remittances from diaspora will continue to outpace exports in most African poorer countries such as Uganda. Whether these remittances will turn around poorer African economies, is yet to be established. It is also yet to be established whether youth in diaspora will follow the example of the older generation that used their diaspora experience and skills to make a contribution to liberation struggles in their respective countries and to build a pan-African movement. The political dimension of diaspora African youth is yet to take shape.

* Dr Odomaro Mubangizi, PhD, teaches Philosophy, is Dean of Philosophy Department at the Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Addis Ababa and is also Editor of Justice, Peace and Environment Bulletin.