Team Building Is Everything

The first time that Rich Diction conducted a Team Building exercise, we honestly had no idea what we were doing. That was in 2021.

It was a small group of seven IT professionals who needed to break away from their stress and refocus on the vision and mission of their organisation. The planning was intense and fun, with a lineup of mind-filling games, outdoor energisers and interactive discussions.

It went so well, that we received several other referrals. The biggest group to-date has been the DFCU Bank team. Outdoors at Nyange Resort on Entebbe Road, we choreographed dances, raced in sacks, played football and handball and had a raving time.

Since then, the requests have taken different shapes. Sometimes it's to organise a conflict resolution session, or to speak on digital security, leadership in crisis and so much more.

As a public speaking training company, facilitating various sessions is not that difficult if you make it as simple and palatable as possible, with plenty of interaction and fun. Through stories, dance and genuine connection, there is so much that can be achieved.

Diane Ackerman said that 'Play is our favourite way of learning.'

 

 

It may be easier for an extroverted and fun-loving person to conduct Team building and yet nothing could be further from the truth. Team building requires meticulous attention to details, reading the room, taking note of those who are not as outgoing and making sure they are engaged and switching the activities once fatigue sets in, or even allowing time to rest.

The planning requires a fastidious person. It does not matter whether you are a shy individual or outspoken one, once you are able to plan with a keen sense of awareness, then the activity has already landed itself guaranteed success.

   

The Kla Lit Writes Festival-second edition, 2025

 It was my distinct pleasure to host the opening reception of the second edition of the Kampala Writes Lit Fest. The evening reception was held at the British High Commissioner's residence, on 14 August.

This awesome evening was lit with curators, artists of such magnificent talent, arts managers, writers of unspeakably gifted creativity, publishers and our very own book sellers, Tubaze Books.

    

Curated by Goretti Kyomuhendo, and sponsored by African Writers Trust, British Council Uganda, German Cultural Center and Makerere University, this second edition is so lit.

    

       

You should have seen our BN Poetry Award winner Rashida Namulondo, with her spoken word mastery on the mic and MC female rapper, Tushi Nabakyala. What a night! Meeting Dr. Jennifer Makumbi again, and award-winning poets Nii- Parkes and Dr Nick Makoha.

This festival is free of charge. You want to be amongst those that say they attended.

       

Dash over to the Yusuf Lule Auditorium at Makerere University for a feast of the very best in literature. It ends on Sunday ,17 August.

I am satiated with literary bliss.

Photo credit: Jonathan Nasasira

The Launch of 'Feeling' Was Glorious

    The Launch of 'Feeling,' on 31 July 2025, the Babishai poetry anthology celebrating iconic Ugandan women, was nothing short of glorious. What an exceptional way to spend Pan-African Women's Day, which falls on my birthday.

From the preparations, the executive committee thrust themselves into fully ensuring that the event was a huge success. When you serve with a committee that takes ownership, their enthusiam brightens every step of the plannng. My gratitude is boundless.

The weather forecast predicted light showers but it was as sunny as a yellow crispy omelette. We couldn't have asked for a better venue than British Council in Kampala. Centrally located with sufficient space and artistic ambience, our caterers and guests had plenty of room to manoeuvre.

Effervescence filled the room. Bright energy, creative lightness and a cheerful crowd. From Ambassador Bernadette Olowo-Uganda's first female Ambassador to the Vatican, tpo Prof. Rev. Sr. Dipio and my own mother and children, this was a day for a celebration for all ages; those who truly respect women.

The committee worked to the nines and the entire programme was executed far better than I could have expected. With an electrifying MC and poetry performers who made their words dance through the air to our hearts, it was festive, life-changing and warm.

Whether one chooses to read their poetry, perform it or recite it, poetry is a double-edged sword whose words will never be contained in just rhetoric or speculation. We even auctioned a glass-framed poem, and that was just the start of uncountable milestones.

Winning the auction-Mt. St. Mary's Namagunga girls.

To every poet who contributed to he anthology and performed, you added so much flavour to the day.

Launching the anthology

The British Council Country Director officially launched the poetry book and with the energy in the room, there is enough moentum for many more publications to be shared all across the world.

With huge thanks to the team of poets, those who shared testimonials, committee, sponsors, guests and well-wishers. Let's keep making poetry glow.

Zoey the Storyteller                                             Millicent Mugabi- British Council Uganda

           

Standing with Alice Karugaba, founder of                      Delivering my speech

Nina Interiors leading interior design house 

in Uganda.

   Photos by Painters Media, +256 756 235392.

For copies of 'Feeling,' contact Tina, +256 781 685596.

In honour of Hon. Canon Rhoda Kalema

 This poem was written in the 'Feeling' poetry anthology in honour of Hon. Canon Rhoda Kalema

Hon. Canon Rhoda Kalema

Every black and white photo is regal

The ones that came before the burden of selfies 

Where hair was parted with a line in the middle

And the afros sprouted on the great deeds of those decades

Black and white photos remind us of those

Who were able to outlive internal and external dangers.

They remind us of how colour was a luxury,

And living was a necessity

The people in those black and white photos

That wore loafers and sometimes white gloves

Whose families posed with the protectors at the back

And the guardians in the front

Those people in the black and white photos

Were the inventors of socialising without media.

They met for tea wearing floral dresses and bowling hats 

Talking about their unfiltered victories over polished silverware.

Hon. Rhoda Kalema created a passage for the oppressed

Where all women under misogyny and hurt

Found safety as they tunneled their way using their own light

They left cake crumbs and clues for those behind them.

The Mother of Uganda’s Parliament invented the first reality show

It was a black and white show where women and girls became.

It was a film where the real life heroes started trending

Uganda’s first hashtags were #RhodaKalema #RealLifeHero

Without any artificial lighting or eyelashes,

She waded through and drenched herself in the forbidden waters

Threw a lifeline for the thousands of Ugandans on the other side

Who had no thought of how to make it viral

They created their first black and white film

A reality show from a real life hero

Every black and white photo is regal

They are unfiltered images of  great deeds. 

                                            Poem by Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

Feeling-The Poetry Anthology Celebrating Iconic Ugandan Women

 

This Week's Best Kept Poetic Secret

 In the photo below, I am hugging this week's best kept poetic secret. 

Before I share it with you, may I thank you all so deeply, for your kind and warm comments and responses to the anniversary post I shared this Monday, 7th. My husband and I had a beautiful surprise, it was unexpected and lovely. Thank you.

This morning, I dressed in bright orange and mustard, to match the colours of  the Schooner, a global fusion series of poetry. My journey as an international collaborator of poetry began in 2012.

Poetry is an act of faith and faith without works is dead. In 2012, we began sending the winners of the Beverley Nambozo Poetry Award to Nairobi to participate in the Story Moja literary festival. Introducing the first Ugandan poets to the festival, each year the numbers of Ugandans increased highly. We met and interacted with leading writers, scholars and artrepreneurs from around the world.

In 2013, I met Prof. Kwame Dawes. He is a world renowned literary professor and also the poet laureate of Jamaica, with a real Jamaican accent. I stared at his grey moustache that kept dancing as he spoke in his Jamaican lilt. He was saying something about wanting me to serve as the focal point for Ugandan poets in this new fusion series of poetry. I was just so distracted.

After many nods and several questions, I began my journey as the official focalpoint for Uganda's fusion series, which is a curation of  thematised poems from Uganda, selected and edited by myself. What a task! I had just completed my Master's in Creative Writing and was working on our very first poetry anthology. This was huge.

Uganda's theme, Shoes, began. With carefully selcted poets who had a wide range of theme, boldness, originality and vision, we compiled our selection and submitted to Kwame and his team. In 2016, the digital book was published. 

Last year, the editorial team approached me again, requesting to publish the poems in print format. What a double blessing! In this print issue which I received this week, are 12 Ugandan poets whose poems lie beside international and literary honour. Some of them are previous winners of the Beverley Nambozo Poetry Award and Babishai poetry award, others are associates of Babishai.

You may shop for the issue here: THE SCHOONER GLOBAL FUSION SERIES

This is my week's best kept poetic secret. Thanks to the Ugandan poets who submitted their fine work under the theme of 'Shoes,' and to Edward Echwalu who provided the photography for the digital version.

As an act of faith, I said 'Yes' to Kwame Dawes and so many international doors have opened for many poets in Uganda. Say yes, in faith, to what you know deep down inside, is meant for you. It's not too big, it's faith, and then start the hard work after that. It is worth it.

   

I have just finished writing a biography of a Ugandan doctor and ready to write another one. Let me know if your story needs to be told.

Bless!

Bev

18 years of marriage and I do not have any marriage tips.

 Today is our 18th wedding anniversary and I still don't have any tips on marriage. 

It was on a sunny morning turned rainy afternoon on 07/07/07. Early that Saturday, I wore tight jeans and a top. By afternoon at Kampala Pentecostal Church, I was in a sparkling strapless wedding gown with a ring on my finger and an additional name. A beautiful name, I may add.

People keep asking me how we have made it. We have not made anything.

People keep asking me how I have remained myself, with my eccentric style, my zeal to remain true to what is valuable to me and my creative and energetic spirit. 

If marriage takes you away from your values, then the problem may not be the marriage but maybe it was that you traded yourself without knowing. It comes in bits. You were told to leave everything behind for this union and when you find yourself with bouts of depression, you cannot place your finger on it.

It has been 18 years and if feels like 18 days many times, because I still have plans for myself and both of us have many plans together. We pray a lot, as well. 

I see many people who place marriage and weddings on a pedestal and observed how it makes them lose their path. They stop doing what they enjoy. They stop nurturing their skills and talents and their conversations sound like panic attacks. 

The great news, is that if that is you, you can always return.

Marriage was always meant to be part of my journey; not the beginning or the end, but part of it. Part of my already powerful and creative life's journey. And I am glad about that. Both of us are able to grow as we ought. Both of us are able to raise the children, while still growing into our purpose. 

I made adjustments, yes, but I never stopped being a poet, a speaker, or a person who loves a global challenge. 

Protect your heart so that when people disappoint you, it may hurt but you will get back together, whole.

Protect your values so that when people do not align with them and reject you, you will not break into a thousand tiny pieces.

You can turn anything into a gold mine, into everlasting joy. Yes, of course you can.

Let God fill that space and when you do find someone to spend the rest of your life with, or when you find someone to partner with in business or when you find a friend or colleague at work to connect with, you will give each other space. You will respect each other's boundaries. That is how love will blossom. 

Allow the love to blossom. Do not stifle it or choke it by forcing it in one direction. Let it flourish. Keep on being whom you were always mean to be and when that looks like it's impossible, remember that it's not. Someone is always there to help.

You will both be free. 

Freedom is a verb.

Do I have any marriage tips? No, not even after 18 years. 

Happy Anniversary! And to many more.

Bless!

Bev