Riziki Musali, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, makes an art piece at Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda's western district of Isingiro, Sept. 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Ronald Ssekandi)
ISINGIRO, Uganda, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- When conflict broke out in 2012 in his village in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Riziki Musali fled to neighboring Uganda, never to see his family again. Today, as an art creator, Musali uses his talent to express himself and promote peace among fellow refugees in Uganda.
Lonely among complete strangers, Musali was resettled at Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda's western district of Isingiro. He said he took up art not only as a therapeutic measure but also to promote peace and unity among his peers.
"I consider art as a language. As refugees, we face many challenges, and through this art, I can express my feelings to the people around me," he said. "I use art to advise those who are feeling hopeless. I use this art to give them hope that they are also human beings."
Musali is not alone. Many young refugees in Nakivale, Uganda's oldest and largest refugee settlement, are turning to art as a means of self-expression and envisioning a better future.
Every evening, Musali is joined by a group of young Congolese at a makeshift mud and wattle art gallery at Base Camp. At the art gallery, the youth display pieces that depict not only the hardships they are going through but also dreams of a brighter future.
In one of the pencil drawings on display, Sheria Bisimwa who lives in the camp, tells a story that no matter what the situation one is facing, there is always a brighter side, a side of hope. The art piece features a child's face, one side dark and sad while the other is bright.
"We move into the community, learn about the challenges they face, and try to find solutions through art. Art can promote peace and unity," said Bisimwa. "When I started learning art, I never knew that it could also be used as a language. I can use it to communicate with people."
The passion for art and the means of expression shown by these young individuals are inspiring others to join. In a small art room, Hafsa Abdikadir, a Somali refugee, has started taking art classes. She said that she has attended two sessions on her journey to becoming an artist. In the art room, she is joined by two young Congolese women who are also interested in becoming artists.
They believe that art can be used as a tool to advance peace and transform the livelihoods of refugees.
Musali said that during their outreach activities, they encourage their fellow youth to engage in art as one of the constructive activities to escape from the trap of social ills like drug abuse.
Nakivale Refugee Settlement is now home to more than 180,000 refugees from neighboring DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia and other countries. Uganda is Africa's leading refugee-hosting country, with over 1.5 million refugees and asylum seekers mainly from neighboring countries, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency. Uganda, however, is facing challenges due to diminishing donor support for the refugee response. ■
