The story;
The visit was organised by Uganda's development partners for the 7 members of the Local government Commission i was working for. However, due to individual circumstances and preferences, each of the seven members travelled seperately to Denmark from Kampala, honoring only the day of start of business.
I travelled alone via Heathrow, Gatwick airports to Copenhagen - connecting for 2 days. My ordeal started when checking in at Copenhagen airport - customs. There were 3 queues clearly marked - one for residents, another for visitors from EU and America and another for other visitors. I took the appropriate line, and, on reaching the counter, the lady closed the counter in my face! I looked back at the other people lined up behind me and shrugged. We waited and since lines to other counters had dwindled, one by one people behind me ventured to the other counters and were handled. When i took cue and did the same, again on reaching the counter the attendant closed the counter! I saw other africans being served but for me it seemed like a syndicate not to serve me! I waited until another group of people from other arrivals came up and again I took up position in the middle of the line 'not to attract attention'! After spending close to one and half hours i was checked in.
But wait, the drama was not yet over! As i was going through with all my luggage from the baggage rack - mind you I was supposed to be on 'fast tracking' because I had a club class ticket from British Airways - I was stopped by some 2 mean-looking officials. They ordered me to open my luggage for checking. I obliged and they literally started throwing out everying in all directions. Other passengers passed by wondering what was happening! After throwing out everything, they kicked my clothes with their dirty shoes and ordered me to put back the items and leave. I had been prior warned about these people's anti-black feelings, so I thought it better not to make a scene. Problem was, we were not being received by anyone so I had to be careful lest I sleep in jail! With all the anger and frustration, I put back my belongings in the suitcase and left dejectedly. I knew I was not welcome to Denmark but i was now a prisoner.
The actual stay there was not bad - we were in Copenhagen for 4 days and in Aarhus - the second biggest and industrial city for 3 days. I told my ordeal to one of the hosts and he apologized and said it was common to mistreat Africans at the airport.
My next ordeal was on departure. Again our hosts did not escort us to the airport. This time I was in the company of one of the other Commissioners. As we lined up to check in, on reaching the counter, the attendant confiscated my passport and ticket and declared that there was something wrong with my ticket - that it was not authentic. An officer from British Airways inquired and offered to crosscheck the ticket. She came back and said the ticket was alright and 7 tickets had been made to the Commission and all were verified correct. The danish officer refused to clear me and said it was his decision that I was not cleared to leave! I was told to stand aside and they serve other people!
The actual stay there was not bad - we were in Copenhagen for 4 days and in Aarhus - the second biggest and industrial city for 3 days. I told my ordeal to one of the hosts and he apologized and said it was common to mistreat Africans at the airport.
My next ordeal was on departure. Again our hosts did not escort us to the airport. This time I was in the company of one of the other Commissioners. As we lined up to check in, on reaching the counter, the attendant confiscated my passport and ticket and declared that there was something wrong with my ticket - that it was not authentic. An officer from British Airways inquired and offered to crosscheck the ticket. She came back and said the ticket was alright and 7 tickets had been made to the Commission and all were verified correct. The danish officer refused to clear me and said it was his decision that I was not cleared to leave! I was told to stand aside and they serve other people!
I literally wept in frustration, and my colleague went through and had to leave me as the last call for boarding was made. I went back to the lady working with BA and she pleaded with the danish officials, and when they heard my name being announced over the loud speakers to hurry up as the plane was leaving immediately, thats when i was left to go. I was energyless after crying, but a BA official came and assisted me with my hand luggage and escorted me right up to the plane as he communicated on his radio. He apologized and told me they were also frustrated with the way the Danes mistreated passengers.
I hope I never have to go to Denmark again - I was humiliated and made to feel that I was not a human being! Talk about holding a Club class ticket - an African posing as a big official could have put them off I was told. But then the other Commissioners were checked in and out without incident! Is that bad luck or what?
I hope I never have to go to Denmark again - I was humiliated and made to feel that I was not a human being! Talk about holding a Club class ticket - an African posing as a big official could have put them off I was told. But then the other Commissioners were checked in and out without incident! Is that bad luck or what?
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