ROPE-the play with all the right modern buttons

 ROPE is the play that hit the National Theatre Stage in Kampala, with al the right modern buttons. Written by Lloyd Lutara and directed by Kaya Kagimu, this play gave me the feel of exactly what we have been doing for the last five years; speaking into our phone cameras and confessing to deeds which are best left to the ears of a man or woman ordained to receive that level of sorrow and iniquity.

Beverley, Kaya Kagimu and Brenda Ibarah (cast member)

Kaya Kagimu is honoured the 'Feeling,' the poetry anthology celebrating iconic Ugandan women.

ROPE is a tale of how people have been dealing with their self-loathing, their dark deeds and their burdensome identity crises. Through unsolicited advice or confessions on phone cameras. They then post on social media to real and perceived audiences. 

In this modern story of well-written monologues, it is one we have heard many times and yet it feels fresh. A wife and husband are faced with moral dilemmas, unsatisfied sexual desires, in-law interruptions and so they seek for help in unconventional and often questionable places. 

The results of this are as bizarre as they are pitiful, scarred by emotional and physical abuse, wretchedness, unspeakable betrayal and helplessness.

What Lloyd Lutara ahs done is masterful and thanks to the support of a wonderful director, production team and cast, ROPE was definitely worth watching.

The play is still on sale at National Theatre in Kampala, along with his other publications.

Review by Beverley N Nsengiyunva

Toastmasters Was Endless Fun!

The Toastmasters Weekend oozed with so much verve.

We hosted a conference in Kampala, comprising over 20 membership clubs from Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. The conference programme was lit, curated by a dynamic team, and filled with public speaking contests, networking, guest speakers, partying and lots of synergy.

Receiving my gift for serving as contest chair

Serving as contest chair always gives me so much pleasure and any opportunity to speak, dance and perform poetry, just makes me want to reach the clouds and squeeze them until they also feel the tangible joy of doing what you love, especially before people who already get it and if they don't, they're ready to.

                                           Courtesy photo: Dancing with the Acoli troupe.

Gifting the Guest speaker Tony Otoa, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Uganda National Oil Company

Co-hosting the awards ceremony-what is not to love! Dancing with the winners and audience members-you can' put a price to that, can you?

It all came together. I joined Toastmasters in 2016 and for seven highly impactful years, started new clubs, served as Public Relations Manager of East Africa and earned my Distinguished Toastmaster Award. Since then, I have exercised those skills in regional and global platforms while continuing with my poetry and writing.

If you are interested in joining Toastmasters, contact our Division Director of Uganda, on +256 741 033260. You may also follow Toastmasters.org.

When I was a Teenager, I made sense of Life Through Poetry

 When I was a teenager and I needed something to make sense, I wrote it down in a poem.

In 1994, during the Rwanda genocide, I was in school and wrote a story and poem about it, and read it to the class.

When I couldn't stand the behaviour of certain girls in my dormitory, I wrote about them in poetry and some even cried.

When I tried to battle with adolescence, puberty and libidos, I wrote it down in poetry.

When I travelled to a new place as an adult, I wrote about the border, the airport security checks and any new words, I learned in that language.

Poetry, while it used to just about me, and how I felt, until I realised that such potency will never remain in a vacuum.

Poetry is stateless and does not conform. It travels where it wants and settles where it wants.

Bless!

Bev.

What Skills For Our Children? Housework vs. The Rest

 A few weeks ago, a journalist from The New Vision newspaper approached me and asked my opinion on the many private boarding schools where students are not required to do housework.

I believe housework is important and instills a level of self-efficiency. Environmental hygiene can also never be over estimated.

Having said that, we should have a balance. What is the goal and vision of the school? Is that goal shared amongst parents and students alike?

While housework and time management are crucial, students should also apply soft skills like empathy, public speaking, leadership and etiquette and have practical guidance on financial management, business ethics, global news.

Without these, many students are raised to become well-behaved wives who clean and cook with extremely low self-esteem and no idea how to run a business.

Bev

The Great Athol Fugard Has Rested

 It is hard to imagine that someone with such a powerful countenance, a relentless passion for social justice, an endless flow of wit from his pen, could ever rest. Athol Fugard, award-winning South African playwright, director, and actor.

He was so incensed by Apartheid that the government even withdrew his passport for a number of years. I had the distinct privilege of  teaching his plays a few years ago to an A level Cambridge Literature class. What fun we had!

(Internet photo)

There is so much to grasp between the pages of the play 'Sizwe Bansi is Dead.' Athol's tangible impact is undeniable. He creates characters and scenes from the most mundane and everyday situations and ignites them into an unforgettable life event. The potent discrimination during Apartheid is so well described and articulated in this play, and leaves anyone quite numb. 

Being a white South Africa, enraged by the Apartheid system, attracted its own backlash and antagonism and yet Athol was consistent in his stance.

No-Good Friday, another of his plays, is highly memorable and intertwines such unimaginable tension during Apartheid in Sophiatown.

Reading Nongogo left us with so many questions about blurred lines, survival and justice. I would have loved to have met this unmatched genius. 

To a great person, rest well.

Beverley N Nsengiyunva

Bless!

Feeling, Is Out! The Poetry Anthology Celebrating Iconic Ugandan Women

 This has been the most celebratory and noteworthy journey of all our poetry anthologies at Babishai. It just kept growing until this monumental time. What a journey worth relishing in. Every single part has been worth it.

 

Prof. Sylvia Tamale                                          Tapenence Kuteesa

 

 

Dr. Isabella Epiu, Uganda’s first PhD anaesthisiologist

Extended gratitude to the poetry contributors, to the photographer, to Braid Art ad Culture Fund, Gilgal Media Arts and the team tat Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation.

Thanks to the women whom we reached out to who gladly accepted this honour. Thanks to their relatives, as well.

To Kampala Morning Stars Rotary Club, who hosted an early women’ s day meeting and bought a significant number of copies, thank you.

Jackie Asiimwe

There are 65 iconic Ugandan women who are honoured in this poetry anthology and if we had had a lifetime to produce this anthology, then we would definitely have included all the extraordinary women of Uganda.

 

We are victorious. Uganda is victorious. Africa is victorious. he world is victorious. Each of these women has shaped the world in one way or another. We will never stop rejoicing in their accolades.

The online version of this poetry anthology is available here.FEELING

For physical copies, call +256 751 703226 or email babishai@babishai.com

 

Thank you!!

Rev Bev-touching the world one country at a time

 On the last Sunday of February this year, my Pastor Godson Sebuguzi and his wife, Dr. Catherine Sebuguzi, invited me to lead service at God's Fortress Ministries in Komamboga Uganda. What a huge honour!

In my twenties, I used to call myself #RevBev and imagined myself evangelising in every country in the world. There's something satisfying and highly rewarding when it comes to touching the lands of unfamiliar places and speaking to those who carry unfamiliar faces and speak unfamiliar languages. 

I feel I am part of something real and that it is just an extension of whom I was always supposed to be.

2025 is the year when I am launching new products. The first was my website, in January, an unveiling of a powerful and creative side of me. Here's the link. BEVERLEY N NSENGIYUNVA

In March 2025, it is the release of 'Feeling,' the women's poetry anthology celebrating iconic Ugandan women. This is such a celebratory year and I am grateful for each person that has ridden along with me, walked with me, jumped and danced with me and created with me.