DeeScovered Oasis

Can meaningful conversations help you heal?

Belinda Katumba's story isn't just about leaving Canada to return to Uganda. It's about how she transformed her experience with loneliness and her journey through grief into a thriving social enterprise that's changing how people connect. You might want to listen if you're unsure how to turn a tough experience into something that matters.

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Artwork by Inarunyonga

Music by KDaGreat

Belinda's work

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I sit down with Freeman Binagana to explore belonging, cultural adjustments, and navigating differences after relocating to Burundi. We talk about growing up mixed-race in 1980s Burundi. If you've ever felt caught between cultures, this episode will speak to your soul!

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Artwork by Inarunyonga

Music by KDaGreat

Freeman's work

For the first episode of 2025, I take a moment to pause and take stock of the past year. I share with you lessons I learned, things that have changed and what I'm excited for in 2025.

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Artwork by Inarunyonga

Music by KDaGreat

In this final episode of 2024, I chat with Steffi Bandereka Nineza and she shares her journey of returning to Africa from Canada and building a life between Johannesburg and Accra. We discuss the emotional, cultural, and practical challenges of relocating, navigating identity, and discovering a sense of belonging in two African cities. Spoiler alert: we don't know better, we just know different!

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Artwork by Inarunyonga

Music by KDaGreat

Steffi's LinkedIn

I sit down with the one and only Makeda Mahadeo, who brings her Jamaican vibes to the heart of Rwanda! We dive into her journey from landing in Kigali with zero plans to making her mark in the local media space. Makeda opens up about finding her community, motherhood, and those little moments that make life there blissful. Plus, she shares how staying true to herself while going with the flow led to some amazing opportunities.

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Artwork by Inarunyonga

Music by KDaGreat

Makeda's LinkTree

In my last solo episode of the year, I'm revealing all my Burundian favorites! From my secret coffee spot to the best 'sambusa' in town, here's everything I love about life in Buja. Plus, I share how this country humbled me and taught me that sometimes, all you just need is a friend to buy you "ama unités" 😉

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Artwork by Inarunyonga

Music by KDaGreat

Moving back home isn't always what you expect. In this episode, I unpack four common misconceptions returnees have about life in Africa - from the surprise of reverse culture shock to the reality of living costs in Burundi.

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Artwork by Inarunyonga

Music by KDaGreat

In this episode, I take a deep dive into the nuanced terminology around Africans who move back to the continent after living abroad. I break down the distinctions between "returnees" and "repats" and share my own experience as a "temporary returnee" in Burundi.

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Artwork by Inarunyonga

Music by KDaGreat

In a world that can sometimes feel like one big and lonely desert, Africa can be our oasis: a place where we reconnect with ourselves, feel understood, and find our people. In this episode, I share my journey from Burundi to Cameroon and beyond, reflecting on how returning home reshaped the way I see not just the continent, but myself.

Africa is often misunderstood, especially by those who haven’t lived here, and yet for many of us returning from the diaspora, it’s where we remember who we are. From its cultural richness to the everyday realities of life here, I explore what “Africa” truly means, why it can feel like home, and how it challenges the stereotypes we carry. This conversation is a reminder that coming home can be a chance to catch your breath, find your people, and feel whole again.

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Podcast cover by Inarunyonga

Music by KDaGreat

In this episode, I open up about my creative journey, my transition from a political science student to a multimedia storyteller. I also reveal what my vision for the DeeScovered Oasis podcast is, offer a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, and discuss how my experiences in Burundi influenced this platform that highlights African returnee stories.

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Podcast cover by Inarunyonga

Music by KDaGreat

Previous work mentioned with Yaga Burundi