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Renowned Ugandan activist and academic Dr. Stella Nyanzi has shared a heartfelt and powerful reflection on her return to Germany after being denied re-entry by the German ILO officer in Nairobi just days earlier.
Her recent experience shines a light on the difficulties refugees face, but also the deep resilience and joy that comes with reclaiming one’s rights.
Dr. Stella Nyanzi
Writing from Munich, Dr. Nyanzi recounted her arrival with raw honesty: “I am dirty, tired, sleepy AND very happy to be a Ugandan refugee back home in Germany.” Her joyful clapping upon touchdown, unbothered by the stares of fellow passengers, echoed the sheer relief of someone who had fought hard for their return.
She described her warm welcome at the airport by her daughter Baraka Bah and their family friend Konrad Hirsch, who drove them home, symbolizing a return not just to a country, but to family and a sense of belonging.
Dr. Nyanzi didn’t stop there. In her usual fearless tone, she declared:
“East Africa belongs to all of us who claim her as our home. The spineless dictators ruining our region must not deny us our freedom of movement.”
passport
She further emphasized that despite being a refugee, she is determined to exercise all her human rights and freedoms, a strong message to both oppressive systems and to fellow East Africans navigating exile and displacement.
Her story is not just a personal victory it’s a call for freedom of movement, dignity for refugees, and an unwavering reminder that resistance and resilience go hand in hand.
