Weeping Lands: A Book Review by Beverley

In 1991, Susan Kiguli and other old girls of Gayaza High school visited and addressed us in the assembly. Just from her introduction, I was awed. It was only until she then introduced the poem that she was about to share. 

And all along I thought that her speech was the actual poem. 

I had the honour of attending Susan's book launch, September 2024, organised by African Writers Trust (AWT) and the Department of Literature at Makerere University. Held at Onomo Hotel, with whom AWT has a partnership. In a conversation moderated by Dr. Anne Adima, it was a pleasure to listen to Susan's journey.

With Mary, a guest at the book launch.

Associate Professor Susan Kiguli, who previously served as the Head of Literature Department at Makerere University, is a renowned poet. She has presided as a judge for the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation awards and also contributed to the anthologies and participated in our festivals. 

'Weeping Lands' is Susan's latest collection, translated in Italian. 

I would best describe it as a confrontation with our troubled past and a conversation on how to overcome our current challenges.

I would also describe it as moments of recognition of places and people that have lit our lives.

It is not a dirge. Rather it is able to sit comfortably within our conscience and narrate our misgivings while opening passages of hope and reflection. 

                                                                      Photo by AWT

Take for example, 'Survive and Win,' the poem that honours Susan's aunt, Sheila Gowa. In the poem, Susan creates a platform where the reader witnesses a relationship that starts from the heart, travels to the mind and leaves indelible marks.

'To War Mongers Everywhere,' which she also recited at the launch, is certainly a hard hitting poem that addresses the brutality and emptiness of war, leaving behind irreparable damage and untold of scars that the women bear.

'They Say We Speak Broken English,' is definitely one of my favourite poems in the collection. It speaks defiantly of those who have built systems as a measure of control.

It is strong, defiant and unwavering, with powerful imagery of girls carrying pots to the well and the consequences facing them by their parents when the pots are broken. The abrupt change in emotion. The anxiety of  the unknown punishment and the weight of living under those who created systems to control us.

Copies  of Susan's poetry are available at African Writers Trust. From what I hear from the lyrical Italian translation at the launch, is that in Italian, the poems are even stronger and more powerful.

(Internet source photo)

This photo was taken in Italy 2023, where Susan received the Lifetime Achievement award for poetry at the Civil Poetry Festival.

Good reading!

Review by Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

He came to put a Face to the AIDS scourge.

He returned to Uganda to put a face to the AIDS scourge. He returned to Uganda to tell us to take AIDS seriously. He is Philly Bongoley Lutaaya.

As a writer, the work that I do takes me further into the archives of wonder, of miracles and of people of great repute. It was in 2023 that I began a purposeful journey of searching for Ugandans whose lives had made an indelible mark.

Recently during research for a new project, I was reminded of Philly Bongoley Lutaaya, and came across this newspaper clipping on social media.

Internet source

A friend of mine was a student at Makerere University in 1989, when Lutaaya visited the main hall to speak to students. Some students who did not get a chair to sit on, actually climbed trees so that they could peer inside the hall and listen to Lutaaya.

"I have come to give a face to AIDS," he said.

"I have come to tell you to take AIDS seriously," he continued.

D. Sam Okware, the head of the Uganda AIDS Control Programme at the time, officially introduced Philly Lutaaya to the students.

In 1989, Lutaaya broke barriers, he restored hope i those facing stigma and his courage opened the doors to initiatives around the country supporting those with HIV and AIDS.

...

Beverley N Nsengiyunva

 

Ugandan Doctor Performs a Successful Postmorten Caesarean Section

In the same year that I gave birth to my own child, in 2018, who was delivered by caesarean section, where I was able to hold her, feed her and kiss her together with my husband, another baby, Gabriel, has a far different story.

I focus my time on searching for iconic Ugandans who have performed near miracles, Ugandans who have impacted lives at a large scale and those who have dedicated their lives to changing communities. I write their stories and share with the world.

Dr. Oriba Dan Langoya, a young doctor of Lacor Hospital in Northern Uganda, about 450 km north of Kampala, miraculously delivered a baby into the world.

Baby Gabriel's mother was brought to Lacor Hospital on a boda boda, which is a motorcycle used for public transport in Uganda. She had travelled 104 km on that boda boda from the nearby district of Kitgum. In critical condition she did not make it alive off the hospital bed. Dr. Obria, an intern at the time, was devastated, as was the medical team.

On listening closely to the mother's abdomen, he could hear the faint heartbeat of the baby. Not one to lose complete hope, he sought his supervisor, the medical attendant, Dr. Odong Ayella, Dr. Oriba proceeded to perform a postmortem caesarean section to save the baby.

That is how he was able to bring Baby Gabriel into the world, in what can only be described as a miracle.

The full story is here: Read more about Gabriel as a young boy and Dr. Opira and his wife's journey in ensuring he has a good life.

Baby Gabriel The Miracle

Poetry at Coffee At Last, in 2011

 Develop a skill. Harness that skill regularly. Maintain consistency with those who excel in that field and whose hearts are geared towards your growth.

Poetry.

In 2011, I performed my first poetry solo. This was at Coffee At Last, that serves a scrumptious meal with delectable coffee. Their very first location was in Makindye, about 20 metres from where they are located now.

I have been friends with the owners, Albert and Amanda, for a long while. They offered me space, infusing coffee and poetry, as they started their business.

With each time I focus on my poetry, so many doors open for me, especially with travel and networking with exceptional talent and globally renowned poets.

This year 2024 is one of those years.

What skill are you developing? Gossiping is not a skill, unless you're gossiping about yourself, which could then develop into theatrical monologue.

Social media trolling is not a skill, unless you're developing a script for NBC (U.S), DSTV and other networks or worthwhile media.

Develop a skill.

Harness it with those not only skilled at it but also committed to your growth. Pay them for that training.

Become unrecognizable with your skill.

Bless!

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva.

I empower individuals on their journey of communication. I use poetry, speaking and writing.

I'll Climb Trees Again and Again

In 2016, I climbed this tree. It was at a Kampala Toastmasters retreat in Entebbe, about 30km from Kampala city.

A fulfilled, worth remembering , energising day, if there ever was one.

I climbed this tree because I could, because I wanted to and because it made sense. If I am out t have fun, then let me have it. I would climb it again. And again. And look for another tree to climb.

 

Climb trees. The view is always better from the top. Climb trees and pick fruit. Eat of the delicacy of lofty dreams and heights. Climb trees 

Do not descend from that tree until you have eaten of its delicacy. Take a piece of the root, the source of its grandeur. And find another.

Bless!

Bev