The World We Share: Meet Hassan Abdulle

For many people, migration can often be a mixed bag of emotions which entails leaving behind everything familiar to start again somewhere new. For Hassan Abdulle, that journey began in 2008 when he left Somalia and came to Uganda in search of peace and stability.

Before making the move, Hassan worked as an accountant, supporting not only his immediate family but also other relatives. As circumstances changed, he realized he could not remain where he was and made the difficult decision to seek a safer future elsewhere. Arriving in the Ugandan capital of Kampala marked the beginning of a new chapter.

From Somalia to Uganda: Hassan Abdulle’s Migration Story

Like so many people who are forced to leave their homes because of conflict or instability, Hassan faced the challenge of rebuilding his life in an unfamiliar environment. His search for safety gradually became an opportunity to establish new roots, pursue new ambitions and contribute to the community around him.

"That is when I realized this is where to start a life again," Hassan explains. "I found another opportunity, another chance, another home in Uganda."

Starting Again and Building Midwest Forex Bureau in Kampala

Over time, Hassan transformed that opportunity into a thriving business. In 2014, he established Midwest Forex Bureau, a refugee-led business that has become a trusted destination for customers seeking remittance services. According to Hassan, local communities often refer to the business as "Ria House", because of its strong connection with Ria's services and reputation.

The partnership with Ria has played an important role in serving migrants and refugee communities in Uganda. Because many of Midwest Forex Bureau's frontline employees are refugees themselves, they bring a unique understanding of the challenges customers face.

How a Refugee-Led Business Builds Trust

For Hassan, building a successful business has gone hand in hand with creating opportunities for others. By employing refugees in frontline roles, Midwest Forex Bureau has created a workplace where employees can better connect with customers through shared understanding.

That familiarity helps build trust, as customers who may be navigating complex documentation requirements — or adjusting to life in a new country — can speak with people who comprehend some of those challenges first hand.

"Several of our frontline staff are refugees, so they understand the circumstances of refugees," Hassan says. "They understand their papers and documents."

While that shared experience helps staff relate to customers' situations, the business maintains the same compliance and regulatory standards required of any financial services provider.

This shared experience helps create an environment where customers feel understood and supported. Hassan describes the partnership with Ria as a positive one and says it has been rewarding to see migrants across Uganda choose their locations when they need financial services.

Creating Opportunities Across Communities

Beyond his business achievements, Hassan is also passionate about challenging common misconceptions about the Somali community, believing that representation and visibility are important parts of that effort.

Through his work and interactions with customers, colleagues and local communities, he hopes people will see a more complete picture of the Somalis, one that reflects entrepreneurship, resilience and a willingness to contribute to society.

"The truth and the reality is that the Somali community are very entrepreneurial and very friendly," he says.

Today, Uganda remains Hassan's second home. While he hopes for a future in which circumstances allow people to return to their countries of origin, he also believes in contributing to the communities where they live now.

For Hassan, success is about more than building a business. It is about creating opportunities, supporting others and strengthening connections between communities. Through his work with Ria, he continues to help build bridges between Somalia and Uganda while serving the people who rely on his business every day.