Live your life like a a book that people will want to read.

 Live your life like a book that people will want to read.

A week before Christmas, I attended the book launch of 'Prof. William Senteza Kajubi: The Man and His Legacy,' authored by Dr. Jones Kyazze, a retired international civil servant and active rotarian.

In 2011, I remember holding several conversations with Prof. Kajubi where he shared about his journey to the University of Chicago in 1952, where he went to study as Africa's first Fulbright scholar.

He talked about the Jim Crow laws at the time and even though it was clearly difficult, most of the conversations were about the vast opportunities that the scholarship presented.

His reaction to any harsh situation would be, 'That is highly regrettable.' I don't remember any cuss word or profanity from Prof. at all.

Having served twice as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and as Chair of the Uganda Symbols Committee that created the National Anthem and National Flag, he was also a father of 9, amongst them 3 sets of twins.

On top of his achievements, he was highly time conscientious, dignified and exemplified work ethics.

Let's live our lives like a book that deserves to be read.

Weddings in Kigali

 Weddings in Kigali

To experience the regal nature of weddings, you should attend an introduction and wedding ceremony in Kigali. I had that privilege when my husband was a best man in December last year, 2024. 

It was just a week before I dyed my hair purple-there was no need to accentuate my lavender coloured mushanana at the time.

Again, meticulous streets, an air of fastidious and intentional living and the breath of industrious individuals, churning a new country for themselves.

Heaven Gardens: The name enhanced the painstaking care of the ceremony venue. The capital city of Rwanda is truly the gift that keeps on giving. On that delight Thursday morning, we left our apartment as early as 6:30am, straight to the venue whose name reflected its stature. 

With lavish apartments beside it, the gardens, about nine in total, were truly a testimony of all things that are possible with flowers and plants. The beauty of those gardens would cause anyone’s heart to skip a beat or two. So well adorned with well-trimmed hedges, colourful array of large and small flowers and plenty of trees. Even the hilly terrain would not stop a few guests and I from taking strolls as we leaned in at every inch of the we-inspiring view. 

To imagine that such floral care is possible in almost every country in the world. We should be able to see more masterful care like this. 

The introduction ceremony began at about 11:00 am, with a well decorated hall. The decorators and caterers were extremely polite and had clearly invested so much time into their work. What’s a kuhingira without dancing! What makes the dancing more magnificent is that it looks easy until you try it. One of the dancers tried about fifteen times, showing me how to gracefully twist my arms like a disjointed graceful swan. It’s not for everyone.

With all formalities out of the way, there was even more dancing. And I noticed that the groomsmen looked particularly debonair, in their traditional clothes that took a detailed amount of time to put together.

I have been to a fair share of  introduction ceremonies but never one with such an elaborate feast. Times have changed! With all the stories that Rwandans do not eat at festivities. We ate to our hearts’ content.

Immediately after that, the bridal team changed and we moved to a smaller room for the wedding service. It was straight to the point, conducted by a Kenyan-based pastor, which then ushered us into photographs and the reception, another extraordinary affair.

Touring Kigali, which is what I have done several times, is far different from attending a wedding. I am glad I did.

Bless.

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

The furthest corner of Uganda-Kidepo Valley National Park

 The furthest corner of Uganda-Kidepo Valley National Park

Our family trip to Kidepo Valley National Park, which took 14 hours by road, including all the stops for refreshments and stretching, is a story of the ages. All the built in anticipation reached so many climactic ends, that by the time of arrival, we were already filled.

    

View outside Mara Safari Lodge              Tour ride to the game park

   

Emmanuel Nsengiyunva and Sam Akera                        View outside Mara Safari Lodge

   

   

Beverley and Cavine Anek                                   Beautiful plant species

About 410 km from Kampala City the trip took us by a spectral storm. Thankfully, Karuma Dam was opened, we were able to view the gushing foamy waters, until we finally reached the farthest corner of Uganda, in the North east, Kaabong District. 

Mara Safari Lodge, even at night, is a sight to behold. Surrounded by endless acres of savannah grasslands and several species of acacia trees, it is like a picturesque canvas for anyone to dream their life upon. 

The story of Mara Lodge is just as enthralling. We met Samuel Akera and Cavine Anek, the directors and proprietors of Mara Lodge and with both of them sharing vast experiences in the development world, they developed a plan to support their early retirement. That is how Mara Safari Lodge was born. They had already invested in conservation by planting acres of trees in various parts of Uganda, tourism was an addition to their entrepreneurial spirit. Mara has multiple meanings, including, ‘How are you?’ a way of greeting, which explains the lodge’s name.

The view from the lodge is too much to take in at once, with the sunrise illuminating the mountains that border South Sudan and Kenya, illuminating the paw prints of the lions that walked at night and the ashes from the bonfire. With a welcoming staff and crisp freshness all around, Mara Lodge offers perfect accommodation, the rooms set as close to nature as possible, clean, well-organised and devoid of clutter.

Sunrise at Mara Safari Lodge                              Kidepo Valley National Park

The game drive. Being the third largest game park in Uganda, we drove just over three hours. There are two valleys in Kidepo. Narus is on the southern side and Kidepo is on the northern side, with more animals, because of the availability of water. We were on the southern side, Narus valley. 

Herd of buffalo                                                                          Herd of elephants

There are plenty of animals, each with a tale of its own. The water bucks are believed to have been the first animals to sit on the toilet, explaining their white buttocks.

Zebras are white and black to regulate temperature. The stripes are unique like fingerprints, giving each zebra its own identity.

The buffalo kept appearing and reappearing through the savannah, almost regal.

The elephants of course are so majestic and unmatched in their stateliness. With the matriarch taking care of the little ones, we waited for a bit, to allow them to cross the path which they had temporarily blocked.

Giraffes are always a beautiful sight, munching their food from the trees, with ease.

The warthogs, the ‘pumbas’, with their suspicious looking tails and frisky behaviour are so adorable. 

Kidepo Valley National Park is so inspiring. It is a perfect family holiday and an opportunity to see a part of Uganda that many people do not venture, because of the distance. It is worth it. It is close to paradise. 

Written by Beverley N Nsengiyunva

A Crown Placed On My Head to End the Year

See how I have been honoured, crowning the year with a global crown in the New Vision newspaper!

On seeking insight from women leaders on how to become exceptional, they sought me out. 

10 December 2024, please get your copy.

This summarises the premise of my year, 2024. I followed the Chinese philosophy, Wu Wei, which means go with the flow. Following the direction of my purpose without struggling, I received magnificent opportunities to travel, to perform poetry, to write people's biographies, and to receive funding for a huge Babishai poetry project.

Important networks and individual connections became part of my inner flow and the year strengthened me as I continued to learn, to grow in the space prepared for me to excel and I relished it.

I relished living in such high vibration and recognising those with the same. I revelled in new , insightful and genuine mentorship that sought to uplift me and not to drown me.

It has been an incredibly notable year for me as a poet and writer and in 2025 and beyond, it is going to be a non-stop celebration upon celebration of huge global success.

Bless!

Beverley N Nsengiyunva

Have a great season ahead and even better 2025 and beyond.

 

The Inaugural Kampala Writes Festival

"Writers' block does not exist. It is just an excuse for laziness." Bev N N

 That is what I firmly believe and ever since that epiphany, I have reached my writing goals."

What a distinct pleasure to receive an invitation to participate in a panel discussion, at the inaugural Kampala Writes Festival.

Goretti Kyomuhendo, the curator, who runs African Writers Trust, continues to shake the writing industry by constantly ensuring literature by Ugandans is at the forefront.

Running from 6 to 8 December 2024, themed, 'Writing Our Truths,' David Kaiza, session moderator, took us through various discussions like our current projects and how they are contributing to the nation's literature. Do attend. It's free at Onomo Hotel.

The burden of shaping a nation's literature is an interesting one. I find it imposing and rather presumptuous and that writers should first explore the terrain for themselves before trying to save the world around them.

 

Botsotso: The Poetry We Must All Read

 Imagine a buffet with over twenty types of the finest meats and salads and you can only pick one item!

That was my experience at the second African Women Writers' Symposium held in Johannesburg in 2011. There were so many books to pick from and yet I only had enough money to purchase a handful. Amongst those that I selected, was Botsotso, an anthology of contemporary South African poetry.

Edited by Allan Kolski Horwitz and Ken Edwards, over a decade later, I still firmly believe that my purchase was timelessly perfect.

Published in 2009, with versions of some poems previously published elsewhere, it was just this month of November 2024, after meeting Allan in Durban, that I picked up the book again and began 

're-devouring' the poems.

What a passionate and deeply moving anthology, with so many ideas, unapologetic imagery and well woven social commentary. Ike Mboneni Muila's MUYAHAVHO, a poem whose focus is on a child amidst the ravages of poetry and despair, still expected to continue living and hoping as a child would, as each day's hope keeps dwindling. There is so much helplessness and yet the phrasing almost spares us of total loss, with the momentum of waking up day after day. It creates a sordid picture against a meaningless reality for the child, in a stoic and creative way.

Allan Horwitz' 'Photograph of a Man in Baghdad,' is difficult to read, with its graphic and deeply tragic. With a deep sense of irony, using the innocent and beautiful things like sweets, to entice a child to their death. The death of a child is already incredibly sad. To manipulate a starving child by using sweets and other attractive edibles in the midst of a horrific war, is diabolical. Creating a temporary forgetfulness that will not only increase the hunger pangs but gives false hope.  More frustrating is the knowledge that while there is capacity to alleviate the children from this situation, it is preferred to dance around the gravity of their peril and provide temporary and purposeless tidbits.

Sumeera Dawood, like the other poets in the anthology, is one whose poetry I need to read over and over again because of the way it resonates. Her poem 'Red Brick,' sits like a wheel tuning and turning in my head. Many of us have so much fatigue because we have been depleted of our resources, endlessly giving of our time, our talent, and our energy too. In addition, is the abuse that we face, which often goes unchecked and unreported. Red Brick is such a powerful metaphor because bricks are strong, used to make permanent structures, while they bear the harshness of all the elements. The line at the end of the poem gives it an emotional and redemptive ending.

Vonani Bila's on the march for Dennis Brutus is an homage to a true revolutionary whom so many have deep respect for. The irony of what patriotism actually entails, against what the media portray it to be. Dennis Brutus embodied truth and was relentless and brave, in this regard. Vonani's lines,

    unscathed by genocides

    & tornadoes

    warrior spirit

    you traverse...

..

it is a well-deserved homage.

Botsotso continues to promote African writing and to learn more about them, follow this link. BOTSOTSO

Book review by Beverley N Nsengiyunva

Ber Anena Bursts Through Barriers

I  met Anena over ten years ago in Kampala, a friend to Aujo Lillian Akampurira, first winner of the Beverley Nambozo Poetry Award. Anena, undeniably consistent with her writing and determination, published in both print and online journals, amongst them Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation anthologies.

Anena travelled to study for her Master's in Creative Writing at Columbia University, in 2019. A few years later, Anena has won a a six-figure deal with Flatiron Books for her forthcoming memoir, The Lies We Tell for America.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Anena, after finding out about this incredible opportunity.

Please share a bit about the journey to your book deal

In 2019, when I moved to New York, I began writing about my journey to Columbia University. As you probably recall, I embarked on quite a brazen fundraising for the MFA Writing program I was admitted to. By 2020, what had started as short essays was a book-length memoir called The Lies We Tell for America.

I began looking for a literary agent to represent my book but was not successful until 2022 when Sophie Scard from United Agents sent me an email asking if I wanted to be represented. Someone she didn’t name at the time had told Sophie to check out my writing and she loved it. I was in disbelief but immensely grateful. Anyone who has queried agents knows how extremely hard it can be to land one, so having one show interest in your work is truly reassuring.

I went through several rounds of editing with Sophie from 2022 and in September 2024, she began sending the book out to publishers. I was beyond thrilled when Flatiron Books expressed interest and ultimately offered us a preempt deal about a week later.

All of this has felt surreal but I’m immensely grateful. I also feel really lucky that I found an agent and editor who share my vision for the memoir and understand and champion my writing.

This book, how important is it to you and your studies?

I started my creative writing journey as a poet and the memoir is an affirmation of the creative and genre versatility I’ve always wanted as a writer.  At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where I’m pursuing a PhD in Creative Writing with a focus on poetry, I’ve endeavored to write and enroll in fiction and nonfiction classes as well. As I look forward to a career in academia, being able to teach multiple genres in the Creative Writing field is a blessing.

How has this deal shifted your idea of writing?

I don’t think my idea of writing has changed. I still believe in its value to the writer and the world in general. What has deepened is my belief that as unrewarding as writing can be, acknowledgement and recognition is possible. I had worked extremely hard at bringing this memoir to life. My poetry and fiction had been recognized and awarded prizes before, but whatever else followed was not a guarantee. The life of a writer is a constant hit or miss. A gamble. I had hoped that a publisher would pick up the memoir but never dreamed it would be this huge deal. It’s a writer’s dream and I don’t take the opportunity for granted.  

How far do you believe poetry can take us?

I don’t think there’s a limit to where poetry can take us. I believe that my debut poetry collection, A Nation in Labour, played a role in my acceptance to Columbia. When the book was selected joint winner of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa in 2018, it provided me an introduction to the literary scene beyond Uganda. I have had and continue to have several opportunities because of that poetry collection. The limit depends on how far one is willing and able to push themselves, to grow as a writer and to take advantage of every opportunity that comes.   

Inspiring words for poets in Uganda

Send your work out. There are countless online journals today looking for work. Many of them are free, others offer submission fee waivers. I’m often puzzled every time I get an email from writers asking me where they should submit their work. As long as you can afford to be on social media, you should be able to Google search literary journals or look at the bios of your favorite writers. They always list the publications their work appears in. There will be rejections, but the acceptances will come too. And, read. Buy books by writers whose work you admire and learn from them. Attend writing workshops and readings. You never know where your inspiration or the next big break will come from.  

What's next?

I’ll be working with my editor to bring the memoir to your bookshelves by Fall 2026. I’m also working on completing my PhD and hoping for the publication of my next poetry collection. So fingers and toes crossed.

We're extremely pleased for Anena and are waiting agog for more super news.

Interview by Beverley N Nsengiyunva