Ferdinand was born in Moyo in Northern Uganda in 1961. His family became refugees in Sudan after the war in Uganda that ousted Idi Amin in 1978-1979. He obtained refugee status in Sudan (since 2011 South Sudan). He then had a scholarship opportunity to study at an international school in Italy and then a scholarship opportunity to study a degree in the UK in 1986. He then undertook a Masters degree in the UK with the aim to return to Sudan or Uganda to work in a medical capacity on completion of his studies. By the time he finished his studies the political situation in Sudan had deteriorated to a point where the Ugandan refugees that had remained in southern Sudan were fleeing back to Uganda. His family returned to Uganda and Ferdinand was given extended permission to stay in the UK due to his circumstances. After an extended time in the UK he married and created friendship networks in the UK. He undertook a Phd in London. Between 2004-2008 Ferdinand and his family lived in Uganda to allow his children an experience of life in Uganda before they returned to the UK for senior school and higher education. Ferdinand works in medical research exploring the subject of wound healing.
