Veteran journalist Samson Kasumba has revisited a personal moment from 1994 when his attempt to relocate to the United States was rejected, saying the decision unexpectedly altered the course of his life.
Kasumba narrated that shortly after completing his A-Level examinations, his father—then based in the United States—sought to have him join him and begin a new life abroad.
The plan, he said, was partly facilitated through the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which was used as an entry pathway for travel arrangements.
However, when he presented his application at the US embassy in Kampala, located in the same building that then housed the Ministry of ICT and the British High Commission along Parliament Avenue, he was denied a visa.
“The consular told me that I had not proved that I had enough ties here to go and come back to Uganda,” Kasumba recalled. He added that at the time, he was deeply disappointed by the outcome.
Kasumba, however, noted that his disappointment was largely emotional rather than practical, acknowledging that there was no intention of returning to Uganda once he left. Despite this, the visa refusal forced an unexpected pause in his relocation plans.
Looking back, he said the decision by the embassy ultimately proved beneficial.
“I am extremely glad that they never said yes to my request at the time,” he reflected, suggesting that staying in Uganda contributed to shaping his career and personal development.
Kasumba also revealed that he has since travelled to the United States twice and returned each time, describing the later trips as significantly different from his initial attempt to move there permanently.
The journalist ended his reflection on a light note, indicating a desire to travel again, adding that he may consider visiting the US for a short stay in the near future.
His remarks have sparked online engagement, with audiences interpreting the story as a reflection on how early-life decisions and immigration restrictions can significantly influence personal and professional trajectories.