NRI Voice: Kampala a Home Away from Home

By Keerthi Mohan | January 15, 2018

Teena Lakhani Rupani moved to the Ugandan city of Kampala soon after her marriage in 2012. Over the last few years she has transformed from being a stay-at-home mother to a successful beautician and henna designer.

Rupani tells Little India about her journey from being a Mumbaikar to moving to Kampala and the adventures that she has been a part of in Uganda

Shifting Base from India to Uganda

I got married in January 2012 and moved to Kampala as my husband, Samir Rupani, works there. He has been in Kampala for the last 15 years and has now become a resident of Uganda.

As Kampala is teeming with Indians, I did not feel I was in a foreign environment. It, in fact, felt like a home away from home.

The Indian community in Kampala celebrate all Indian festivals with great gusto and it’s a big part of our lives here. Indian festivals are open to all and we celebrate it with pomp and show. The festivities include varieties of stalls, cultural programs and fireworks.

Acclimatizing to a New Place

Kampala is a beautiful city, but it hasn’t been easy acclimatizing here. Provisions for healthcare are not adequate and the weather only added to my problems. I often travelled to India for treatment and had to travel to India when I was pregnant for the second time.

Starting a Business in Kampala

I worked with Crane Bank, but was unable to continue after I was pregnant. I went back to India for the delivery and after I returned to Kampala, I decided to work from home, translating my passion for art into a profession. I have always loved creating beautiful designs with henna and realized there was a market for this art form in Kampala, considering the vast Indian population. Interestingly, it wasn’t just Indians who fell in love with henna designs, there are many takers for this art form. I have now worked with communities like the Africans, Americans, Iranians and even Russians.

Getting clients was not tough, as many people had earlier noticed my work. Although there is competition, clients look for quality and have faith in my talents. Also, the social media has helped a lot in popularizing my work.

Obtaining a Work Permit in Uganda

I have to point out that the biggest hurdle one can face while working in Uganda is getting a work permit. It is a tedious process that can have anyone seeking a work permit here shelling out a lot of money.

Lifestyle of Indians in Uganda

Indians in Uganda, especially Indian women, have a very lavish lifestyle. Life here is very comfortable as maids handle all the chores of the household—from cleaning, dusting, laundry, to ironing and sometimes even cooking. They also take care of the children, so life is quite easy for housewives and women in Uganda. We pamper ourselves with regular pedicure, manicure and massage sessions that are pretty cheap as compared to the prices in India.

Bringing up Children in Uganda

I have to admit that bringing up children in this country is a task. School fees is a real pocket pinch–it is almost 1000 dollars per term. But when it comes to safety, Kampala is a better option than most other African countries.

Missing Home

I miss India, especially because my mother lives there. Since I am a foodie, I miss Indian food and also the colorful markets of India. As I order all the products for my business like henna and other skin care products from India, I miss the convenience of purchasing things easily.