Bev

I remember holding onto the Three Thousand Shillings, my first ever prize money, and smiling from ear to ear.

I was in senior one and had just won the school dancing competition. I held onto those green notes with pride, a symbol of my tenacity and ability.

Julia Majugo, who bore another name at the time, handed that money to me and said with a smile, "Congratulations." She was the Entertainment prefect.

I was Janet Jackson and Vanilla Ice. I was indestructible.

Three Thousand shillings at the time could buy three packs of crispy Bon Appetit chips. It was a lot of money for a young teenage dancer. Dancers of those days who were raised by Turbo and Paula Abdul were not that fussy.

All we needed was a floorboard to do our back spins and a pair of high tops for the running man.

My exercise routines comprise a lot of dancing.

We should never let go of what made us stand out as children. That talent that gave us a spark should always remain. If you loved art and were good at it, then as an adult, you should draw, paint or take part in an artistic hobby and if you don't, then there is a vital part of your life that is missing.

You know that there is something missing and yet you are unable to articulate it. It is art.

You may be a world class neuro surgeon, or the most reliable mechanic or salesperson and yet feel incomplete. That is because you have let go of the childhood hobbies or talents that gave you a spark.

It is not for nothing that you were called a dolphin when you were younger. Go back and swim. You don't need to compete but just dive back into the water and relive that unparalleled aquagasm.

It will not matter where I am thrust in the world. I will always write. I will always find time to dance and I will swim.

I'm Grateful to Doris Ndizeye

I closed my eyes for 3 seconds and in that momentary silence, wrapped in a pink kitenge laying on my boat shaped mattress, I knew that Doris Ndizeye was the best choice for emcee. This was for the July launch of 'Feeling,' the poetry book celebrating iconic Ugandan women, published by the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation.

Beverley, Flavia and Doris (L-R)

I enjoy planning events. I do. I enjoy sitting with the organisers and walking through the venue weeks prior to the event. I relish asking the kitchen staff what meals they plan to prepare for the guests and taking photos with th head chef. I like listening to the General Manager of a hotel as he persuades me to bring my husband for a discounted weekend in the well furnished suites.

Planning events is like whispering into the future and imparting blessings on every guest.

When I am an emcee, I am also an assistant events coordinator. I need to breathe the same air, listening to the same conversations and walk where the event planners have walked, so that I am able to nuzzle the event with a well prepared emceeing experience. It's not just talking and directing people to the next point on the agends. It is an experience.

I invited Doris Ndizeye to host the launch of 'Feeling,' the highly anticipated poetry anthology celebrating iconic Ugandan women.

As the founder of the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, my heart has scaled the emotional heigts of despair and experienced the elevated elations of  triumph. I have walked miles to deliver invitation cards and meet journalists and sat for hours with individuals in restaurants delivering proposals. 

I knew that Doris shared these values of preparation with me. How did I know? Because I trained her. I trust people whom I have trained and have been tested. 

Doris embodies thoroughness. She grasped her task with such alacrity that pleasantly surprised me at every turn. She asked questions, reached out to the individual poets, visited the venue and inquired about the guest list.

There are people who host events and 30 minutes to the occasion, start to bother the organisers with bothersome questions like, 'What is the theme of the occasion? or What is the name of the organisation in full?' And then they begin meddling with the sound team making personal requests for songs and rearranging the entertainment order. 

They will often ask for a heavy meal at this time as well, claiming their sugar levels need to be levelled so that they too can level up. We know these people. They always take organisers and organisations for granted and yet they keep getting away with it. 

Take control and hire someone who has been trained and tested, or enlist for training yourself.

I am grateful to Doris because a couple of years ago when she specificially reached out to me to be trained on effecting hosting of events, I was also able to carve out a niche curriculum for this purpose.

I am grateful to Doris because she over delivered.

Have a wonderful week, everyone.

Beverley N Nsengiyunva

Derek Garcia Rolle, DTM

When Derek Garcia Rolle, a businessman based in Nassau Bahamas, who also served as a Toastmaster, invited me to perform poetry three years ago in 2022, I thought, Yasssssss! Who wouldn't want to perform before a global audience

That was my calling.

What made it even more ideal was that it was at 2am EAT, while The Bahamas settled into their evening.

On a chilly morning before 2am on 14 February in 2022, I took a cold shower, dressed in red and black, and applied lipstick while adjusting my online camera for the Poetry Love Fest. 

I had met Derek before, during one of the Toastmasters online meetings and he took an interest to my poetry. Every year, Leading Voices Toastmasters Club, basedin Nassau Bahamas, where he served as their club President, has consistently led online poetry festivals with poets, musicians, storytellers and performers. 

With poets and performers mostly from The Bahamas and United States, I was always content seated amongst such global treasure. The sessions usually began with jazz and then the vibrant host would lead the programme, inviting guest after guest for their performance.

Sharing poetry amongst artists and speakers from all over the world is just a part of what makes my life worthwhile. Derek was part of that journey.

We had begun discussions on arranging for a much needed physical meeting. That will never happen in this land of the living.

May Derek's wife, children, relatives, friends and the Toastmasters community be comforted.

Bless!

Bev.

Can't Hurt Me, by David Goggins-A Book Review by Beverley

I first heard of David Goggins in 2020 during the lockdown, a period of great change for the entire world. What better time to learn about mastering self than during this unforgettable period.

What a building of excellence, David Goggins is. He is that skyscraper that lights up at night for everyone to witness and acknolwedge that great heights are indeed possible. His autobiogtaphy, 'Can't Hurt Me,' is one of the most important lessons on the body and mind.

This photo of mine was taken during the lockdown during my great physical transformation where I reached my weight goals. Let's go 2026.

David Goggins embodies what it means to be indefatigable and pursuant of  what is deemed impossible. There is no giant that he is afraid to conquer. Being overweight by over 100 lbs and living a rather ordinary, comfortable and forgettable life, he had an epiphany when during his extermination job, he encountered vermin and he couldn't imagine having to contend with that his entire life.

Further along in his autobiography, David Goggins enlightens the readers that the vermin in his life began as a boy, with a father who physically, emotionally and psychlogically abused and tormented his mother, younger brother and himself mercilessly.

This childhood trauma had a profound effect on who he became; a person who lost over 100lbs in just 3 months in order to qualify as a SEALS trainee. In order to accmplish this, he exercised for over 5 hours daily while reducing his calorie intake by at least 800 a day. The exercised included weight lifting, swimming, stationary bike and running.

This strenuous exercise shifted his mindset and built an unshakeable belief that everything we set our minds to, was possible.

Qualifying as a NAVY SEAL, the US Navy's elite special operations force, trained to operate in sea, air and land environments, is in itself a feat worth celebrating and yet for David, what he faced on the inside was excriciating both mentally and physically and only strengthened his resolve.

His struggles seemed to deepen with each physical conquest, and each time, he reshaped his thinking to learn the art of inner healing.

A book about mastery, forgiveness, physical possibilities and unlearning. A book about a man who emobidies his words. His social media are not a lie. He is that iron man who lives what he teaches. He is a man of integrity who has overcome everything he writes about.

Read his autobiography, ghost written by Adam Skolnick and discover how much unlived potential lies within you.

'Can't Hurt Me' was published by Lioncrest Publishing and is available on Amazon.

Reviewed by Beverley N Nsengiyunva

One Poem Took Me To The Queen

One Poem Took Me To The Queen

Sixty-five poems took us to the Queen: Feeling, The Poetry Anthology Celebrating Iconic Ugandan Women.

On 21 October, a mildly humid day with the occasional pleasant pedestrians and drivers, dressed in our gomesis and kanzus, we embarked on a historic journey to visit Mama Nnabegereka, Lady Sylvia Naginda Luswata.

Feeling, is a poetry anthology that celebrates iconic Ugandan women, published by the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation. Launched on 31 July, Pan-African Women's Day, a celebratory event, which Mama Nnabagereka was unable to attend, we requested a later visit. That visit arrived and it surpassed our civilian expectations.

The week should begin on Tuesdays because that day was as historic as they come. 

Visiting the Queen with Poetry

Photo credit: The Office of The Nnabagereka

Bulange Mengo in Uganda is vast, meticulous and serene. The staff at the reception are calm and well-mannered. I even left my phone on one of the benches at the entrance and they kept it aside for me. That rarely happens. I felt at home in this royal place.

On entering the office of the Nnabagereka, it was easy to tell that we were in higher places. The efficiency, professionalism and composed collectedness of the Queen's staff as we breathed deeply before entering the sacred office.

Mama Nnabagereka is highly dignified, resplendent and poised. We knelt to greet her and then after exchanging pleasantries, I read her the poem in her honour. It's on Page 72 in case you have already bought the book and haven't read the poem. Hehehehe

A day extremely well spent. I am grateful to every person who has supported Babishai over the years. I am highly appreciative of those who supported us when we were the Beverley Nambozo Poetry Award.

Each of us has a poem that will take us to the Queen. Find that poem. Each of us has a poetic gift that will bring us to serve before royalty. Find that poetic gift. My destiny helpers held my hand in 2009 when I began the Beverley Nambozo Poetry Award. They knew that there was something special and divine. They strengthened my resolve to keep going.

Gratitude. Blessings. Thank you.

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

The poem

Many people think that the crown is worn on the head

There are only a few who understand that it is worn on the heart

The gold and precious stones are not an ornament for the head

They are tailor-made and custom created

and fit to pulsate along a worthy conscience

........

The poem continues. 

To read the poem, buy a copy of the 'Feeling' poetry book, only at 50,000 UGX.

Contact Tina, +256 781 685596.

The Accidental Leader by Paul Mugarura-A Book Review

Paulo really knocked this one out of the park. If you are like myself and filled with mild agitation every time the term leadership seminar comes up, then this book is for you. 

If you have become increasingly aware that titles and formal education do not necessarily reflect contentment, mannerisms or integrity, then this book is for you.

If you were raised in a bible believing church, then you may add a Halllelujah to that as well. It is very easy to know about the bible and yet bear no outward or inward reflection of Christ, because knowing about Him is not the same as knowing Him.

Paulo Mugarura, author of 'The Accidental Leader,' published by Inaka Books, slices into the very core of the deception behind many leadership systems that are built like pyramid schemes. 

They emphasise activity over productivity and insist on churning out individuals like factory products, which should all be duplicates. It is no surprise therefore that when individualsof original thought, integrity and genuine desire to make impact interact with these systems, they feel demoralised and find they are unable to fit in.

Many of these systems abhor actual change and deep mindset shift. The status quo suits them and they thrive from blind obedience, because it fills them with artificial importance.

This book is a discussion on what has gone wrong. It is a conversation that calls out the deception and requests for real accountability. Almost every institution that yoiu have been a part of, if you seek far into your life, has been built to brainwash you and turn you into a puppet of sorts, with vague intellectual benefits and emotional reward. It is a cycle of mind poverty.

Great leadership is often silent and does not come with great applause. It is those who manage crises with dignity.

Paul mentions that most leadership does not always reward integrity or insight which can be disorienting for those who walk the path of truth. Instead, so many who lack courage and character are rewarded, only because they know how to bend the rules.

This is an insightful book. Actually, it is a deep conversation. Get your copy. 

Contact Paul at pmugarura@gmail.com for more on this vital book. 

Review by Beverley N Nsengiyunva

   

So much fun with public speaking

I have had so much fun these past few weeks of Sepember and October 2025, training public speaking virtual sessions. Tigether with Terry, who supports the branding, we are seeing lives changed.

Use your gift and make that difference.

It has always been my desire to be part of global change and Rich Diction has provided that opportunity. We are able to reach out to individuals from all over the world. And that is how it should be.

As a young child, I knew had a gift aand yet it took until my late 30s to professionally harness sit when I joined Toastmasters, a non-profit educational platform that trains in public speaking and leadership and from then on, it went uphill from there.

Rich Diction's group trainings also cater to younger groups like teenagers ir preteens and those are conducted physically. We use teambuilding, storytelling, role play, peer review and so much more, in order to get to the core of our communication ability.

Authenticity against Vulnerability.

For the adults, the are able to internalise the neglibible differences between authenticity and vulnderability and apply those in their speeches. It is also pertinent to realise that communication is more than public speaking and involves listening, body language, expressions, micro movements and adept responses.

Join us in November for our next cohort of public speaking.

See you then.

Email richdiction@gmail.com

Bless!

Bev

Restitution/Loaning/Donations This is something...what just happened?

 I dressed in orange on that chilly Friday evening of 3 October, because when I host outdoor events in the evenings, I should be able to show my presence with aplomb.

Introducing Aliddeki Brian, a multi-talented musician and lyricist at the welcoming gardens of Nommo Gallery, bordering the home of Uganda's head of state, was worth all the security checks and mild traffic jam.

And then Ebrahim Soul'O and Muwanguzi; the talent in our region just keeps growing and getting better.

Whenever I am in the throes of public speaking training, I receive invitations to host events. It gives me a chance to reveal the practicality of the sessions, under Rich Diction Enterprises Ltd.

Friday evening.

The launch of the Ethics of Loaning: Strengthening the Discourse on Restitution in Uganda. Venue-Nommo Gallery, Nakasero, Kampala.

There's a simple explanation. I'm also new to this term.

This is what I read and heard from the discussions on that historically symbolic evening.

In the 1900s, during the peak of colonialism, certain artifacts of immense value were donated to the University of Cambridge's museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. In the late 1950s, the Buganda Minister of Education, Abubaker Mayanja, while a student at the university, saw some of these items and wrote a letter to the university head(s) to request their return. Some of the items were returned, and were part of the Independence celebrations in 1962.

In June of 2024, according to the curators of the exhibition, 39 other items were returned on loan. The event on Friday at Nommo Gallery, was the introduction of a long discourse on loaning and restitution.

Do you still have questions?

If you're in Kampala, please visit the Nommo Gallery in Nakasero. There is a month long exhibition which ends on 24 October. The staff there will guide you through.

When the Uganda Museum re-opens in 2026, you will be able to view many of the returned artifacts and revisit a celebratory cultural time of the 1900s and before, of Uganda and the larger Great Lakes region.

hashtag#History hashtag#Uganda hashtag#Independence

It's spring and something new is blossoming

It's spring, and something new is blossoming. 

What a September to Remember. It was in 2020 when I kept refraining September to Remember, and the reason was because 2020 was a year of such reawakening like never before in my life. I remain grateful for the season of restoration.

It's 2025 and the season has re-emerged and this time in an even more profound way. Not only am I experiencing a spiritual revival but it is showing in every physical way. 

Bold steps. Bold rewards. We do not act in faith because we are sure of every step. We act in faith because we are uncertain of each step and yet certain of the one in whom we have faith.

The everlasting Jehovah restores our faith and hope beyond our imagination and we keep holding on to that truth.

That is what enables us to live incomparable to who wer were before. It enables us to live in ways that confound the bystander who looks at us in awe. It enables us to seek deeper and further, thus ignoring the distractions and demolishing the traps of the enemy.

We are too busy being replenished and replenishing others, to mind about mindlessness.

Becoming productive amngst the busy-bodies is how we stand out.

Remaining authentic and outliving the darkness on the outside.

I am here for all of it. The boldness. The faith. The rewards. The leadership to change the globe. I am here fo ti. I was born for this.

Bless!

Bev