Ugandan talks about challenges facing refugee single mothers in Korea
Christine Kyomugisha, a single mother from Uganda living in Korea / Courtesy of Hanokers
By Bereket Alemayehu
Christine Kyomugisha’s life took many unexpected turns, which led her to flee her native Uganda. Now finding herself living as a single mother of two children halfway around the world in Korea, she faces legal, economic, social and emotional hardships, while occasionally also suffering discrimination and xenophobia, which is especially difficult for many single mothers.
On top of how she deals with daily parenting struggles, her story reflects the myriad challenges refugee single mothers in Korea face.
She gave a talk recently on these issues during an art event titled “Provisional Government for All” at KOTE in Insa-dong on Sept. 7.
“Before I came to Korea in 2015, I had a stable family in Uganda,” she said. “I married a military officer who was falsely accused and arrested of being involved in a coup against the government. I was also arrested as a collaborator. My husband died while he was in prison, and I was forced to leave my country, leaving my first child behind.”
While living in Korea in 2021, Christine gave birth to her second child, who is on the autism spectrum, which affects his speech and learning abilities. This has especially taken its toll on her as a single mother, as she must worry extra about expensive therapy and treatments. She is currently living at a shelter in Gyeonggi Province with her son.
In her presentation, Kyomugisha openly shared her personal struggles with the lack of access to welfare support, making survival challenging. The legal uncertainty, financial burden and parental exhaustion have left her mentally stressed. She called for inclusive welfare support for single mothers and refugees.
Yet, despite the hardships they face, many refugee mothers continue to show remarkable courage and hope. With support from nongovernmental organizations, faith-based groups and refugee organizations like Good Samaritan House, Refuge pNan, Friends and Guri Exodus, they raise their children, survive and even encourage others along the way.
“I promised myself to be strong, to show my little one we can thrive in the toughest times,” she said. “I sometimes sit down and take a big breath, thanking God, for I know some of the hardest parts are over. And when I tell you that I healed, it doesn’t mean the pain never existed. It simply means the damage no longer controls my life. I was fighting a thousand battles, and I am still standing.”
Christine Kyomugisha, right, speaks during a Refugee Insights talk at KOTE in central Seoul, Sept. 7. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Kyomugisha emphasized that refugee single mothers struggle to find stable jobs due to visa restrictions and discrimination. They often work in low-paying, irregular or physically demanding jobs, while remaining responsible for child care. She says the lack of access to welfare support compared to Korean citizens makes survival harder. In addition, trauma from persecution, violence or abuse in their home countries continues to affect them.
Kyomugisha also highlighted that parenting struggles are exacerbated when balancing work and child care without family support. Refugee children may face difficulties integrating into schools due to language, cultural gaps or bullying. Mothers must also deal with the emotional toll of separation from children left behind in their home country.
She said that more people need to take time to educate themselves about the experiences and challenges faced by many who are in Korea seeking asylum. Educating oneself on their stories, backgrounds and reasons behind their displacement can deepen empathy and cultivate a more compassionate approach.
“Be kinder,” Kyomugisha said. “We request your kindness to refugees, because we refugees are innocent. We need homes, jobs, education, especially for the children, because education is light. Without education, our future is lost, and we cannot grow up to make the world better from what we’ve learned, and take care of our families. Giving is not just about donating. No, it’s also making a difference. And we kindly request the government to give some special support to refugee children with disabilities. It hurts to have a disabled child if you don’t have the financial means to support his therapy.”
Based on reports from refugee support groups, research and data from the UN Refugee Agency, Korea’s refugee recognition rate is very low, around 1 to 2 percent, leaving most refugee applicants in a state of uncertainty for years. Without a legally recognized status, many cannot access full rights such as work permits, health care and social support. In addition, constant fear of deportation and lengthy legal processes affect mental health.
Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He’s also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.