 is a short animated film collaboration between Richard Akim, a survivor of South Sudan's recurrent civil wars, and German Andino, a Honduran journalist and graphic artist. Weaving memories of his childhood and the violence that have defined his life into scenes from the present, the film illuminates the plight of a stateless, restless, ambitious young refugee who refuses to be defined by his trauma or his circumstances.

The challenges of shooting a film in a refugee camp were made more difficult due to the travel restrictions and strict quarantine measures during the pandemic, not to mention the lack of access to electricity in Bidi Bidi. The limitations meant that Richard had manage all aspects of visual production himself. He built his own tripod using pieces of wood he collected around the settlement and recorded scenes with his mobile phone, which became the primary visual references for future animation work. We modified the original script of the film on the fly, so Richard was responsible for recording the soundtrack, sound effects, and even himself as narrator of the short film.

During the pandemic, the tasks Ray and I had intended to flesh out together in the field in Uganda turned into endless hours of Facebook Messenger meetings and shared Wetransfer files, all of which was aggravated by the limited bandwidth of Bidi Bidi's free internet network.

The first stage of producing the animated short required gathering information and applying journalistic rigor to accurately document the story of Richard Akim. We had to locate the story in time and place his migratory process within the framework of the endless wars in South Sudan. His story was then condensed into a technical script, which was originally intended to become a non-fiction comic.

A journalistic approach to tell this story, let’s say, a traditional one, would fall short of the suffering caused by the war in South Sudan. So Richard and I decided that our stories should be that and more: slow journalism and art. Two transforming forces that are also enormous.

And Here is War, Yet Again

Back in the late summer of 2019, Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement was still seen as a “unique urban experiment” with the potential to transform long-term humanitarian relief. The United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) and the Ugandan Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) had negotiated an agreement to create the world’s first permanent city for refugees. Among the 285,000 people who ultimately ended up in Bidi Bidi was Richard Akim, an aspiring South Sudanese filmmaker and community organizer who go on to establish and run Bidi Bidi Media Lab. During that first visit, Richard explained the purpose of his work: “We hear 

When German and I returned to Bidi Bidi more than two years later we found a community on the brink of survival and a settlement on the verge of abandonment. The years of unrelenting Covid restrictions, social isolation and meager food rations had shattered any illusion of Bidi Bidi’s permanence and revealed its innate ephemerality. Home is a place of belonging where one feels safe, secure. Bidi Bidi could offer none of those assurances.

The following work of graphic reportage, 

, is a mosaic of oral histories from Bidi Bidi as told through the experiences of refugees, relief workers, and administrators who call it home for now. It represents an authentic account of the daily rhythms, discussions and aspirations of a stateless, voiceless community struggling to exist.

‍This work would not exist had Richard not tapped me on the shoulder in a dusty field in Rhino Camp and trusted us with his story. He and his family are the inspiration for this work. Likewise, we are indebted to Fahad Wadada Adams—navigator, translator, co-creator—and everyone in Bidi Bidi who shared their time and stories with us. 

 would not have been possible without the consent and support of the Ugandan Office of the Prime Minister.

All interviews and illustrations have been recorded and recreated as faithfully and respectfully as possible.

Refugee Archipelago

It wasn’t the reports that street-fighting had reached South Sudan’s capital of Juba or that mercenaries were raiding villages in nearby Equatoria State; the first signs of the coming humanitarian crisis were the ghost-like figures wandering into the border towns of Uganda’s West Nile Sub-Region—many of them children, many of them alone. It was the summer of 2016 and millions of South Sudanese were preparing to flee their newly-independent nation, while just across the border in northwest Uganda, a harsh frontier land of savannah, sand and thicket was about to become Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement (pop. 285,000).

Bidi Bidi was an attempt by the UN High Commission for Refugees and the Ugandan government’s Office of the Prime Minister to resolve the region’s recurring cycle of conflict and humanitarian response by creating a 

 refugee city. And within weeks of the emerging crisis, government-issued construction trucks and emergency vehicles were clogging the single dirt road that links Uganda’s isolated northwestern province to the rest of the country, bands of foreign aid workers were haggling for rooms in the handful of hotels typically reserved for long-haul truck drivers and Congolese merchants, and Ugandan military forces were deployed to the border.

 chronicles the origins of Bidi Bidi from the perspectives and experiences of host communities, UN administrators, Ugandan relief workers, and Richard Akim, a South Sudanese refugee who dreams of becoming a filmmaker before an orgy of violence leaves him orphaned and helpless against the marauding militias. Ultimately, he must find a way to escape make it to Uganda, where he was born as a refugee two decades earlier.

Refugee Archipelago: Ch. 2

Bidi Bidi Media Lab is proud to present a ground-breaking refugee-produced podcast hosted and produced by filmmaker and community activist Richard Akim. The first episode takes us on the journey of exodus from the war-torn villages of South Sudan to northwest Uganda, where more than a million displaced people have been resettled in a sprawling savannah of refugee camps co-administered by the United Nations and Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister.

We are introduced to Michael Moga, a South Sudanese refugee and democratically-elected village representative for Zone 2, and Peter Lomude, a former teacher and influential community leader, whose work is focused on providing quality education to school-aged refugees. Moga and Lomude's harrowing life experiences help illuminate not only South Sudan’s troubled past, but also the lingering psycho-social traumas wrought by violence and statelessness. We hear unfiltered perspectives and solutions-focused ideas as Moga and Lomude explain the need for a unified refugee voice in Bidi Bidi to strengthen their negotiating position on the international stage, improve living conditions and reclaim a modicum of self-determination fort individuals.

Michael Moga is among the first democratically-elected political leaders in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, Uganda. He organizes and advocates for the interests of tens of thousands of stateless refugees living in Zone 2, but believes that refugees must be empowered to solve their own problems with the assistance of aid organizations. In order to do so effectively, refugees must find autonomy through a unified voice.

Peter Lomude is a 31-year-old South Sudanese refugee living in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement Zone 2, who taught history at Yei Day Secondary School until he fled his home in 2016. To Lomude, the war in South Sudan is a useless war because “it is a war without a cause.” He believes all the bloodshed can be boiled down to a simple principle––one he often heard as a boy: “We are not meant to be ruled; we are meant to rule.”

Rise Up & Talk: Refugee Radio, Ep. 1

In the second episode of the Bidi Bidi Podcast, host Richard Akim introduces the audience to Mary Knight and Betty Ede who managed to evade the various militias terrorizing small hamlets and villages across South Sudan and escape across the border only to find a tenuous and sometimes cruel sanctuary in Uganda.

Host Richard Akim guides us through a world of human insecurity to understand how political gamesmanship between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir’s and Vice President Riek Machar devolved into ethnic factionalism, civil war and genocide, forcing around a quarter of the population to flee the world’s youngest nation-state toward uncertain futures in Sudanese, Ethiopian and Ugandan refugee camps. Akim describes the mass exodus as “a sea of humans and emotions escaping the madness and bloodshed”.

Finally, we are provided an inside look into life as a rebel soldier from Kemish Likambo, an ex-guerrilla who was recruited by friends to join one of South Sudan's dozens of militias. He reveals horrors perpetuated, moral dilemmas, life-and-death decisions, and his ultimate escape from that life toward peace and redemption in Uganda.

Mary Knight, 27, is a South Sudanese student from Yei County, Central Equatoria State. Mary was in boarding school when civil war broke out in 2016. Separated from her family in an instant, she ran in fear––fleeing in multiple directions, joining roving bands of refugees who were also trying to evade the various rebel groups and seek asylum in Uganda. Despite living in exile with a quarter of a million other refugees, she says she has gained a clearer perspective of the future.

Betty Ede, 38, lives in Bidi Bidi refugee settlement, Zone 2. Prior to 2016, she taught school and ran a small business in Yei County, South Sudan. At the height of the conflict, she lost her nephew to a treatable illness due to a lack of medicine at the local hospital. The experience prompted Betty to gather her children and walk to Uganda. After arriving in the settlement, Betty and other women formed a group called Togoleta Refugee Women to address gender violence in Bidi Bidi and other camps of the region.

Rise Up & Talk: Refugee Radio, Ep. 2

Host Richard Akim, his wife Mary Knight, and colleague Peter Lomude share their stories of when the South Sudan civil war reached their villages.

These are closely guarded stories of loss and survival, as each makes their way south toward the frontier through villages ravaged by violence, menacing government checkpoints, and hostile militia-held regions. By the time they reached Uganda, they are malnourished, exhausted and on the verge of collapse. This is the first time they have shared their stories with the outside world.

Rise Up & Talk: Refugee Radio, Ep. 3

In the fourth episode of the series, refugees to recall the memories and emotions when they arrived in Uganda as refugees. They offer insight into what people expected to find in the camp and the scenes they encountered on the first days in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement. 

Many of the questions that arose in those days endure until today, questions about safety, water, food rations, employment opportunities, childhood education and the peace process in South Sudan. Although some improvements were made in years that passed, more often than not the problems persist. Those interviewed have chosen to share with the world a rare knowledge about what is means to be totally vulnerable, what it means to be victimized, and what it means to endure.

Rise Up & Talk: Refugee Radio, Ep. 4

In the heart of Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, amidst the struggles of displacement and uncertainty, Total Football Club has emerged as a symbol of hope and unity. Founded in 2021 by a group of refugees from South Sudan, Congo and Uganda, Total FC defied the odds, transcending tribal divides and forging a common bond through the beautiful game.

What began as informal matches on dusty makeshift pitches evolved into something remarkable a team that would not only represent the aspirations of its players but also the resilience of an entire community. Total FC's journey from humble beginnings to becoming the sole refugee team in Uganda's football landscape is a testament to the power of sports in fostering inclusion and empowerment.

In their inaugural year, Total FC embarked on a remarkable quest, transcending barriers both on and off the pitch. Despite limited resources and logistical constraints, the team's passion and determination never wavered. They earned recognition by registering in the 4th division of Ugandan football, a historic milestone for a team born in a refugee settlement.

The 2021-2022 season proved to be a trial by fire for Total FC as they navigated the competitive landscape of Ugandan football. Against all odds, they exceeded expectations, reaching the playoffs in their debut season a remarkable achievement that showcased their talent and resilience.

Undeterred by setbacks, Total FC emerged stronger and more determined. In 2023, they etched their name in the annals of football history by clinching the championship in the Nile Zone, representing Yumbe District. Their triumph not only brought joy to their supporters but also shattered stereotypes and demonstrated the potential of refugee athletes.

With their remarkable ascent, Total FC earned promotion to the 3rd division of Ugandan football a testament to their skill, discipline and unwavering spirit. Today, as they sit proudly in second place on the league table standings, trailing only behind Odramachako FC, Total FC continues to defy expectations and inspire a generation.

Beyond the wins and losses, Total FC's legacy transcends the confines of the football pitch. They represent a beacon of unity, demonstrating that diversity is not a hindrance but a source of strength. Through their shared love for the game, players from diverse backgrounds have found common ground, forging friendships that transcend tribal, cultural, and national boundaries.

Total FC's journey embodies the resilience, courage and indomitable spirit of refugees worldwide. In their pursuit of excellence, they remind us that no obstacle is insurmountable and that the power of unity can overcome even the greatest challenges. As they continue to write their chapter in Ugandan football history, Total FC stands as a testament to the transformative potential of sports in fostering inclusion, empowerment and hope.

Total FC: Together We Rise

Dear UNHCR,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention a pressing issue affecting the residents of Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement Zone 2, particularly concerning water shortages. As a resident, I have witnessed firsthand the severe impact of water shortages on the daily lives of thousands of individuals, including women, children, and elderly persons. Despite efforts to manage water resources, the demand consistently exceeds the available supply, leading to frequent disruptions in access to clean and safe water.

The inadequate provision of water poses significant challenges to the health, sanitation, and well-being of the community. Residents are forced to endure long queues and wait times at water distribution points, often resulting in overcrowding and tension. Moreover, the limited availability of water exacerbates hygiene-related issues, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases and illnesses.

Furthermore, reliance on alternative sources of water, such as unsafe wells or untreated surface water, poses serious health risks and compromises the dignity and safety of individuals, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children.

Thank you in advance for your support and assistance. 

West Nile, Uganda