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.

Feeling-The Great Unveiling of our Poetry Anthology Book Cover

 The Great Unveiling!

Heartfelt and Beautiful Greetings,🏆

Unveiling the cover of 'Feeling,' the upcoming and much anticipated Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation Poetry Anthology Celebrating Iconic Ugandan Women.🇺🇬
We'll soon be releasing both the virtual and physical versions.

Extending gratitude to you for your continued support. More details out soon, also on social media💙

The cover photograph was taken by professional photographer, Edward Soyinka Echwalu💯

Contributors to the Anthology include:-
Zoey -Thestoryteller, George W Kiwanuka, George Gumikiriza, Nakintu Pamela Mwanje, Alwedo Michelle Ivy, Andrew Herbert Ouma, Kagayi Ngobiand Beverley N Nsengiyunva 🏆

This project has been supported by East Africa Arts (British Council) and Trust Indigenous Culture and Health, through their BRAID Fund.

Bless!
Bev.✈️

Connect Through Dancing

 I sometimes get nervous when people ask me  to mentor them. I feel like it's a trap. Whichever decision I make, I am trapped. If I say yes, I have pulled myself into a relationship that I often have little control over. What are the rules for mentorship, anyway?

If I decline, then there are people who will make me walk the plank. There are those gatekeepers who hold this offensive narrative that every single minute of someone's free time should be spent on volunteering or mentoring.

These days if you explain that you'd rather spend Saturday and Sunday with family, then once again, the gatekeepers will make you walk the plank, just because you have made a choice that does not involve them. When did we give away our power that people have control over every single minute of our time? At the rate that some people volunteer, it is a wonder that they have time for their jobs or family at home?

The reason that I sometimes decline mentoring is because of that. There are few clear guidelines. Sometimes the people I am mentoring are non-communicative and I am pleading with them to follow their goals. 

Thankfully, there are times when I mentor people who are hungry. They are so hungry, that they make mentoring a joy. I am also able to share a dedicated time line to our relationship. It may slide into coaching as well. With coaching though, there is usually a fee and it is well-framed and based on specific expertise.

Mentorship, especially in Uganda, is growing, which is good. It means that there is a need for sound leadership and there are dedicated groups of people willing to learn. On that note, if we have dedicated ourselves to lead and guide others, then let us do so when we are able to.  It is impractical to mentor over 100 people sometimes three times a week and be effective.

Since it is voluntary, ask yourself if it is the right time for you, if you are resourcefully able to and how long it will last. Take note that there are those who take advantage of experienced leaders and make them fall into this trap of mentoring for the common good, when actually this mentor is exhausted, depleted of all mental and almost physical strength, holding onto the last fragments of their own will.

There are some mentorship spaces that are dynamic and have passed the tests. Girls for Girls Mentorship is one of them, which I follow. I spoke at one of their sessions and my expectations were clear, which was fantastic.

There are many that mentor and both mentees and mentors are able to fully replenish the other. It is good to give of yourself, please do. Only when you actually have something to give and the time to do it.

Take time to rest. We should be celebrated for choosing time to play, to be with family and to work on our own goals. We should spend time dancing, reading, or maybe just laying down and staring into the starlit sky. We don't do that enough.

Here below I was dancing  at a wedding in Kigali, December 2024.

Bless!

Bev

My Website is Here! Yay!

 It's here! My website!

I wanted to launch it at least two years before I turned 50.

It started with a few people telling me that as I grew my brand, I needed to set up a website. All I could think of was, Why would I do that when I can hardly keep it together with all the social media channels, children, my dreams and my writing?

And then I began waking up early, by 3am and 4am and the path of my inward journey began to reflect as an outward projection of fulfillment and extremely high vibration, with frequencies connecting with people who felt as desirous as I did, to live without limitations.

I still didn't know when this website would begin, if it ever did. It was not until Florence Katono MBA, CAP approached me last year and said, "Bev, it's time." Where are you going to put all the work, the accolades, the writing and the life-changing blog posts you've collected over the years?

I remember in 2015 when the New Vision named me as one of Uganda's Top 40 under 40 women, for my extensive work in promoting poetry in Uganda and beyond.

My husband too, who also designs websites, kept nudging me towards the need to put it together, since he had already designed work websites for me.

And then a stranger approached me by the name of Ms. Owora, a Ugandan living in the U.S who had seen my work over the years. She shared her services, professionally and not forcefully. We began talking and the discussions grew into the website. My website. Please follow the link and enjoy the journey like I did.

There are several poetry collections and anthologies. Remember 'Boda Boda Anthem: A Kampala Poetry Anthology?' You can purchase it and read at your leisure.

BODA BODA ANTHEM

Thanks to wonderful people who gave feedback on the website:
Emmanuel Nsengiyunva, Dr. Sara Kaweesa (PhD), Florence Katono, Christine Nalubowa Sempanyi, Eric Semwanje, Hatim Katamba, Omondi-Odero Daniel, Joe Tugume, Elizbeth Asiimwe and Loyce Adong.

Here's the link! Bless!

BEVERLEY NAMBOZO NSENGIYUNV

Using Poetry To Honour Iconic Ugandan Women and Girls

 The year has begun exceedingly well. 

I will be launching something personal that I have been working on for a while and also through the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, we will be launching a poetry anthology that honours women and girls of Uganda.

There are those who have led illustrious careers in entertainment, health, philanthropy, human rights, media and so on. There are those who have left us and gone to be in glory whose works are still impactful.

There are those whose stories must be shared and we are doing so through poetry. Watch the segment below.

Video segment

When the anthology is out, you will be the first to know. There will be opportunities to purchase it both online and physically. It is going to be awesooooooome x 1,000!

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