Why do so many people leave their homes in search of a better life risking everything, even their lives? This is a question Alex Washoka from Dodoma, Tanzania, continues to ask himself. His reflections uncover a deeper story about opportunity, hardship, and the stark contrast between two East African neighbors: Tanzania and Uganda.
Washoka often wonders why people travel far to places like the Middle East facing abuse, exploitation, and even death instead of building their lives at home.
He believes that wealth and success are still possible without leaving Africa.
“There are people who have made wealth right here without ever stepping foot overseas,” so why are we still chasing uncertain futures abroad,” Washoka said.
Yet, even closer to home, many Tanzanians especially from Kagera Region cross into Uganda, hoping to find better jobs and living conditions.
Washoka’s own family story reflects this reality. Decades ago, his grandfather left Dodoma and crossed into Uganda in search of a better life. He never returned.
“We don’t know what happened to him,” he just vanished. But he left behind a legacy,” Washoka says.
Washoka’s grandfather had earned a reputation in the community for acting like a private banker.
He would lend people money to finance their travel to Uganda or elsewhere on one condition: they had to use their land or home as collateral. If they failed to pay back, the property became his.
“That’s how we ended up with so much land in Ngara,” Washoka explains.
The key question remains: Why do so many choose Uganda? What makes Uganda more attractive than Tanzania?
Washoka offers a thoughtful comparison:
Uganda has an open, capitalistic economy. People who arrive there whether from Rwanda, Congo, Tanzania, or South Sudan can easily settle, integrate, and even become citizens.
This openness has attracted talent, labor, and investment, fueling Uganda’s economy despite its history of civil wars and political instability.
In contrast, Tanzania is more conservative and restrictive. The country’s citizenship laws require that at least one parent be Tanzanian for a child to be considered a citizen.
As a result, many people born in Tanzania are still seen as outsiders. This limits access to land ownership, education, and economic participation.
“In Uganda, anyone can claim to be Ugandan if they try hard enough. In Tanzania, even if you’re born here, you’re not Tanzanian unless your bloodline proves it,” Washoka added.
This difference, Washoka argues, has held Tanzania back.
To be fair, Tanzania’s tight control over its borders and population has kept it more politically stable and out of regional conflicts.
The country avoids foreign interference and rarely involves itself in the affairs of neighboring nations.
But the flip side, according to Washoka, is stagnation.
“Yes, we are peaceful. But peace alone doesn’t build economies. Uganda has had wars, yes but look at how much more developed they are today,”
If one looks purely at economic growth and opportunity for outsiders, Uganda appears to have the edge. Its liberal stance on citizenship and land access has allowed it to tap into regional talent and capital. The economy is more vibrant, with informal and formal markets offering room for anyone willing to work hard.
Tanzania, on the other hand, offers stability and a strong sense of national identity, but its rigid structure may be holding back growth and inclusion. By making it harder for non-citizens (or those not “fully” Tanzanian) to participate in the economy, the country risks limiting its own potential.
Washoka’s story is more than personal—it’s a reflection of thousands of others across East Africa. His grandfather disappeared into Uganda chasing a dream. Others today still follow the same path, even as the reasons evolve.
“We must ask ourselves what kind of country do we want to be?” Washoka says. “Do we want to protect what we have, or open the doors for growth like Uganda did?”
The journey continues not just for individuals, but for two nations, each walking a different path in the pursuit of prosperity.
