A group of 14 young Ugandan and Kenyan performers scheduled to arrive in Australia forced their cultural charity tour to cancel and were denied entry.
The group was scheduled to perform as part of an Ubuntu Africa tour hosted by Kwaya Australia, a nonprofit organization that promotes cultural exchange and education for children in Ugandan through music and outreach.
Kwaya Australia had planned a schedule for an eight-week event aimed at promoting cultural understanding and raising funds for African youth programs. Previously, they successfully ran five national tours under the same initiative.
They were scheduled to leave Africa to Australia this Friday.
Dreams have been shattered as visa refusal forces tour cancellation
Performers had applied for the GG-408 Entertainment Activity Visa under a cultural subclass designed to support programs that promote international cultural exchange.
However, all 14 applications have been denied by the Ministry of Home Affairs, citing clause 408.213, specifically the applicant “intends to temporarily stay in activities that are granted a visa.”
SBS News has seen rejection letters issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to several members of the group.
SBS contacted the department but had not received a response at the time of writing.
One important criteria for evaluation is whether the applicant has previously traveled to Australia, complied with the visa conditions, and provided sufficient evidence of the true intention to stay temporarily as an entertainer.
Marsha Gusti, president and founder of Kwaya Australia, said the decision will have devastating consequences not only for young performers but also for Australian philanthropy partners and supporters.
In a letter to Home Minister Tony Burke, she wrote: “Do you say only people who have already entered Australia can trust you?
“If this precedent applies, we are permanently closing our doors in cultural exchange with new African participants.”
If this precedent applies, we are permanently closing our doors in cultural exchanges.
Marsha Gusti, president and founder of Kwaya, Australia
The group estimates that canceling the tour will result in a direct financial loss of $80,000, with potential sponsorship and fundraising opportunities currently at risk of up to $600,000.
Gusti said she “absolutely flummed” the decision and questioned what message she would send about Australia's reputation on the world stage.
“The Ubuntu Africa program sent a lot of kids to the UK. They traveled for two months and were celebrated all over the UK… They were the first travelers like us,” Gusti said.
“We don't welcome cultural performers right now? Should they have to be here twice?
Gusti also questioned whether the same decision was made if the group was a sports team and asked, “Is this cultural thing?”
Faith Nassande says he hopes the government will reconsider their decisions. Source: Supply
Hope is becoming a part of performers seeking a second chance
In addition to the confusion, three performers, including choir conductor Faith Nassande, had previously been approved to travel to Australia in 2020 as part of their previous tour.
However, due to the Covid-19 border closure, their trip was cancelled.
Choir Australia said he is particularly disappointed that students who were once given a visa are now being denied.
Speaking from Kampala, Uganda, Nassande told SBS that he understands the government's decision but hopes it will be reconsidered considering its previous approvals.
“Hopefully, if you can officially meet you in Australia, you are a great person, and I know I am a great person from all sorts of people I have met here in Africa.
“I request the government to give us another opportunity to allow us to share our beauty, our culture and everything. And before they know that, we're going back to Africa.”
Speaking from Uganda, program manager Barnett Tuzigome said the choir had been rehearsing for two months and while the visa application was submitted three months ago, the government's decision was only a few days after the flight.
“The government (in Australia) has been good for us so far. I just wait for an appeal, but I know they are trying to protect people from moving there.
“But we just want them to know that we are not those kinds of people. We are a very established organization and we don't want to put anything at risk.
“Ubuntu means oneness. So, regardless of where you come from or which continent you are on, one, one. So we're together and that's what we keep emphasizing.”
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