It’s that time of the year again, where we have to say good bye to staff who are leaving the Embassy of Sweden in Kampala. We caught up with Daniel Johansson Århem, our outgoing Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs. This is what he had to share with us.
Who are you and what do you do at the Embassy of Sweden?
My name is Daniel, I moved to Uganda in 2018 with my wife and our two boys. I have worked as head of the Embassy’s Political and Economic section.
What is your proudest achievement?
I think the 7 day challenge to eat, move and live sustainably is the most fun and rewarding activity we have had during my time in Uganda. We had lots of people eating veggies and walking, running and biking to work. We (the Nordic embassies in Kampala) really managed to get a broad range of people to think of sustainability in our own lives, and it was very touching to see how involved people became. It kind of gave me hope that we might be able to change our lifestyles and thereby save our planet. Everyone really can make a difference!
What was your biggest challenge during your time in Uganda?
The past elections period really was a tough one. So much tension, so much intimidation and so much suffering. I remember very clearly our Embassy internal contingency exercise, at Sheraton Hotel on 18 November, when we suddenly started hearing gunshots from downtown. I will never forget those days, trying to assess the situation and make sense of the various reports coming in.
What is your best memory from working at the Embassy of Sweden in Kampala?
It’s been a while since I met all of my brilliant colleagues all at the same time, but I think the team building events at our planning day in Mukono in 2019 were really fun. To see people challenge themselves and support each other as a team is a really moving experience. Another excellent experience was a climate change quiz for secondary school children that we arranged at Kibuli SS for ten Kampala schools. Those kids were amazing!! On a private note, I will never forget our first safari trip in Uganda, when we camped on a hilltop inside Kidepo Valley National Park. Such an amazing, almost surreal place.
What will you miss most?
The spontaneous friendliness you meet. I’m a very outgoing and social person and sometimes find it difficult to get used to the more shy and private Nordic attitude, as compared to the talkative Ugandans. Here you can always have a friendly chat with everyone, from senior government officials to the local policeman, in a way that some in Sweden would perceive as uncomfortable.
What next?
Moving back to Sweden! After all, I am a bit homesick and miss my friends and relatives a lot. I really look forward to hugging my parents, who are almost 80 but still going strong. They were actually planning to visit Uganda earlier this year, but then COVID got in the way. As for the kids, they will start school in Swedish which will be a bit of a challenge, but at least the English lessons should be a breeze – as long as the teachers don’t mind their Ugandan accents!
