The Kla Lit Writes Festival-second edition, 2025

 It was my distinct pleasure to host the opening reception of the second edition of the Kampala Writes Lit Fest. The evening reception was held at the British High Commissioner's residence, on 14 August.

This awesome evening was lit with curators, artists of such magnificent talent, arts managers, writers of unspeakably gifted creativity, publishers and our very own book sellers, Tubaze Books.

    

Curated by Goretti Kyomuhendo, and sponsored by African Writers Trust, British Council Uganda, German Cultural Center and Makerere University, this second edition is so lit.

    

       

You should have seen our BN Poetry Award winner Rashida Namulondo, with her spoken word mastery on the mic and MC female rapper, Tushi Nabakyala. What a night! Meeting Dr. Jennifer Makumbi again, and award-winning poets Nii- Parkes and Dr Nick Makoha.

This festival is free of charge. You want to be amongst those that say they attended.

       

Dash over to the Yusuf Lule Auditorium at Makerere University for a feast of the very best in literature. It ends on Sunday ,17 August.

I am satiated with literary bliss.

Photo credit: Jonathan Nasasira

The Launch of 'Feeling' Was Glorious

    The Launch of 'Feeling,' on 31 July 2025, the Babishai poetry anthology celebrating iconic Ugandan women, was nothing short of glorious. What an exceptional way to spend Pan-African Women's Day, which falls on my birthday.

From the preparations, the executive committee thrust themselves into fully ensuring that the event was a huge success. When you serve with a committee that takes ownership, their enthusiam brightens every step of the plannng. My gratitude is boundless.

The weather forecast predicted light showers but it was as sunny as a yellow crispy omelette. We couldn't have asked for a better venue than British Council in Kampala. Centrally located with sufficient space and artistic ambience, our caterers and guests had plenty of room to manoeuvre.

Effervescence filled the room. Bright energy, creative lightness and a cheerful crowd. From Ambassador Bernadette Olowo-Uganda's first female Ambassador to the Vatican, tpo Prof. Rev. Sr. Dipio and my own mother and children, this was a day for a celebration for all ages; those who truly respect women.

The committee worked to the nines and the entire programme was executed far better than I could have expected. With an electrifying MC and poetry performers who made their words dance through the air to our hearts, it was festive, life-changing and warm.

Whether one chooses to read their poetry, perform it or recite it, poetry is a double-edged sword whose words will never be contained in just rhetoric or speculation. We even auctioned a glass-framed poem, and that was just the start of uncountable milestones.

Winning the auction-Mt. St. Mary's Namagunga girls.

To every poet who contributed to he anthology and performed, you added so much flavour to the day.

Launching the anthology

The British Council Country Director officially launched the poetry book and with the energy in the room, there is enough moentum for many more publications to be shared all across the world.

With huge thanks to the team of poets, those who shared testimonials, committee, sponsors, guests and well-wishers. Let's keep making poetry glow.

Zoey the Storyteller                                             Millicent Mugabi- British Council Uganda

           

Standing with Alice Karugaba, founder of                      Delivering my speech

Nina Interiors leading interior design house 

in Uganda.

   Photos by Painters Media, +256 756 235392.

For copies of 'Feeling,' contact Tina, +256 781 685596.

In honour of Hon. Canon Rhoda Kalema

 This poem was written in the 'Feeling' poetry anthology in honour of Hon. Canon Rhoda Kalema

Hon. Canon Rhoda Kalema

Every black and white photo is regal

The ones that came before the burden of selfies 

Where hair was parted with a line in the middle

And the afros sprouted on the great deeds of those decades

Black and white photos remind us of those

Who were able to outlive internal and external dangers.

They remind us of how colour was a luxury,

And living was a necessity

The people in those black and white photos

That wore loafers and sometimes white gloves

Whose families posed with the protectors at the back

And the guardians in the front

Those people in the black and white photos

Were the inventors of socialising without media.

They met for tea wearing floral dresses and bowling hats 

Talking about their unfiltered victories over polished silverware.

Hon. Rhoda Kalema created a passage for the oppressed

Where all women under misogyny and hurt

Found safety as they tunneled their way using their own light

They left cake crumbs and clues for those behind them.

The Mother of Uganda’s Parliament invented the first reality show

It was a black and white show where women and girls became.

It was a film where the real life heroes started trending

Uganda’s first hashtags were #RhodaKalema #RealLifeHero

Without any artificial lighting or eyelashes,

She waded through and drenched herself in the forbidden waters

Threw a lifeline for the thousands of Ugandans on the other side

Who had no thought of how to make it viral

They created their first black and white film

A reality show from a real life hero

Every black and white photo is regal

They are unfiltered images of  great deeds. 

                                            Poem by Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva