By In an exclusive interview with Stonix News Publisher/Editor-In-Chief, EBENEZER ADUROKIYA, 22-year-old Ruth Mido opens up about swapping science for law at Victoria University, Kampala, Uganda, dodging war at home, a slight dislike for Ugandans, and why Nigerian men are best left in God’s hands.
Ruth Mido
ON LEAVING SUDAN: ‘War Can Erupt When You Least Expect’
“The universities in Sudan are okay, but war can erupt when you least expect. Also, teachers can just decide to go on strike for months. So my dad decided that I come to Uganda to study. It’s not my first time here. I usually do come from time to time. I came here in 2019 to do my O-level.”
ON FAMILY TIES: ‘A Day by Bus, 45 Minutes by Plane’
“The distance from here to South Sudan is a one-day trip by bus and 45 minutes by plane. My family are in Uganda. I stayed in Kenya before moving to Uganda.”
Ruth Mido
ON STUDYING LAW: ‘I Argue a Lot’
“I was supposed to study medicine because I did science subjects from primary to secondary school. But while I was waiting for my results, I decided to do arts and realised that I passed highly in arts, so I decided to do law. The course requires a lot of reading and understanding, and also needs action and confidence at the same time. I am confident and I argue a lot.”
ON NIGERIANS: ‘Not Bad – But There’s a Popular Opinion About Juju’
“I have met a lot of Nigerians. To me personally, Nigerians are not bad, but there’s a popular opinion that they are into juju. I grew up watching Nigerian movies and listening to their gospel songs. Most of my friends online are Nigerians. I have two Nigerians in my class.”
ON CULTURAL SIMILARITIES: ‘We Dress Like the Igbo’
“There’s similarity in music between Uganda and South Sudan. If it comes to similarity between South Sudan and Nigeria, it’s the culture especially dress code. We dress like the Igbo.”
The interviewer and Ruth Mido
ON HOME COOKING: ‘Kisra With Meat’
“For the staple food in South Sudan, there’s something called Khura and we eat it with Kisra. Kisra is a type of green that you cook with meat. I cook it here.”
ON MARRIAGE: ‘I Leave It in the Hands of God’
“I’m not sure I would like to marry a Nigerian but I leave it in the hands of God. Whatever God says. I wouldn’t mind marrying a pastor.”
ON COMPLEXION: ‘My Elder Brother and I Are Very Dark’
“My elder brother and I are very dark in complexion.”
Ruth Mido
ON UGANDA: ‘They Like Touching – I Don’t Like Touching’
“I don’t like Ugandans so much, but I’m learning to. There are certain behaviours that don’t please me. They like touching, rubbing their bodies against people. I don’t like touching, that is why I don’t like them. They can just walk up to you and touch you while talking, and it’s very uncomfortable. Aside that, they are friendly and hospitable.”
ON CHURCH: ‘I Left the Choir Because of Jealousy’
“In Sudan, I served in a different church. It’s called African Hiland Church. They have branches here in Uganda. When I came here, I joined Sudanese Parish, but later joined RCCG. I was serving in the choir at the parish as a chorister and the rest of the choristers started getting jealous because things happen whenever I sing. So I left the church for RCCG.”
ON RCCG DRESS CODES: ‘Let Us Shake Our Bodies’
“One of the things I would like to be changed in the church is that we should be allowed to wear whatever we want on youth Sundays. There are certain songs you want to shake your body to while dancing, but you can’t because of the dressing.”
The interviewer and Ruth Mido
ON SUDAN: ‘War, Corruption and a Military Government’
“The last war in Sudan was in 2016 and the economy has not really been stable since that time. But people are surviving by the grace of God. I don’t know what to say to the government because it is very corrupt. It’s a military government.”
ON SOUTH SUDAN: ‘64 Tribes, One Ruling’
“South Sudan is a country of 64 tribes and the Dinka is the one ruling.”
ON VALUES: ‘I Don’t Joke With My Christianity’
“As a lady, I value my dignity, my studies and my salvation. I don’t joke with my Christianity. I don’t like dishonesty.”
ON RELATIONSHIPS: ‘Adding Another Subject’
“I am not in any relationship right now because I’m not ready for it. I have school and being in a relationship is like adding another subject to what I’m doing now.”
Ruth Mido
ON FAMILY: ‘I Got My Cheerfulness From My Mum’
“I got my cheerfulness from my mom. My dad’s elder sister is the one who raised me because my mom passed when I was three months old. People said that when my mom was pregnant with me, people were prophesying that I was going to be a singer.”
ON DISCRIMINATION AND DREAMS: ‘None Here. Paris Is the Dream’
“I don’t face any form of discrimination here in Uganda. My dream country is Paris.”
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