Kampala Writes Literature Festival

Goretti Kyomuhendo, the Kampala Writes Literature Festival curator remarked that Kampala is ripe for a sustained, impactful, and dedicated literature festival and we believe KLA Writes Lifest ticked the boxes. We kicked off our 3-day inaugural literature festival with an opening ceremony which was graced by guests like renowned academics who have shaped the literary scene of Uganda and mentored numerous young writers for over 30 years: Dr. Susan Nalugwa Kiguli, Dr. Isaac Tibasiima, and Professor James Taabu Basimba among others. Also, we had a delegate from the German embassy – Sabine Schmeer, and many literary practitioners from all over Uganda. We had an educative and comical keynote speech from Dr. Susan Nalugwa Kiguli on our festival theme – Writing Our Truths: Commemorating Ugandan Literature. This was followed by a panel discussion on The Role of Literary Spaces in Shaping a Nation’s Literature moderated by David Kaiza with panellists: Beatrice Lamwaka (FEMRITE), Akullu Agatha (Read us Africa), Beverley Namboozo Nsengiyunva (Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation), and Professor James Taabu Basimba (Uganda Christian University). 

Day 2 of the festival started with a masterclass on Enforcing and Protecting Writer’s Copyright facilitated by Charles Batambuze where he shared his 20 years of experience in cultural policy advocacy and copyright management. He emphasized the need for the Uganda Reproduction Rights Organisation (URRO) to curb the book piracy virus that is affecting the growth of the publishing industry. 

This was followed by a Contemporary Writing Trends in Uganda discussion moderated by Precious Colette Kemigisha with panellists: like Jerry Ssesanga author of The Wasted Beauty, Katana Kainempisa author of Rispekt a Fool to Avoid Noyze, Llyod Lutara author of The Nagoye Tree, and Margaret Maria Kemigisa author of The Singing Tree of Kuku Forest. We explored how writing books has taken on different shades, from storytelling through WhatsApp statuses to fantasy and the place of indigenous language in the recent writing trends that stirred up the audience. 
Our second-panel discussion dissected the specificities of memoir writing under Discovering Identity and Authenticity Through Memoir Writing moderated by Carol Kagezi in conversation with four panellists: Robert Katende author of A Knight Without a Castle, Isaac Kalembe Akiiki author of Omukama Cwa II Kabalega: A Life and Legacy:1853 -1923, Martha Kyoshaba Twinamasiko author of Widows wear Lipstick, and Irene Birungi Mugisha author of The CEO in You. They spoke about how to use emotions as fuel to tell relatable stories and the thin line of writers’ proximity. We eagerly anticipate more memoirs from Uganda, inspired by the insightful nuggets selflessly shared by our panellists. 

The third and last panel for the day focused on Book Publishing, marketing, and Distribution in Uganda moderated by Crystal Rutangye-Bazirake with panellists: Dora Kemirimo Okuja, Charity Kwatampora, Evelyn Magara Kyomuhendo, and David Kibuuka. The panel was an amalgamation of collaborators in the book production ecosystem from publishers, and marketers, to distributors and booksellers. This saw us to the end of the book discussions for day 2. 

Day 3 unfolded with a masterclass on the Conventions of crafting a good short story by Dilman Dila. The facilitator’s approach was both unconventional and strategic making the session worthwhile. Dilman guided the audience on how and where to make money from short stories and transitioned into the techniques of writing a great short story. We trust the audience took the right notes. 
Later, we had our last discussion that closed off the festival on The Shifting Patterns of Censorship in Uganda with panellists: Gloria Kiconco, Eron Kiiza, and Kagayi Ngobi moderated by Joachim Buwembo. The daunting truth of how internal censorship seeded by religion or culture takes root in one’s creative process before the state does. The active role of the state in censorship and how this should not stop one from performing their duty as an artist. This conversation had to be had and heard; indeed, we had it.  

During the festival, panel discussions were in full mode with the right sprinkle of entertainment for book lovers and their allies. We had 4 dramatised readings from our most celebrated classic books: The Burdens by John Ruganda, Song of Lawino by Okot b’Bitek, and a short story from Manchester Happened by Jennifer Nasunbuga Makumbi. On Saturday, we screened MAWE! by Malcom, and had a series of poetry performances from some of the most iconic poets and a soetess in Kampala. A good time was had at the festival. 
We were glad that after more than 3 years, Kampala had its first-ever literary festival that celebrated and solely focused on Ugandan writers. This gave a platform for poignant discussions that were long overdue but also provided a solid excuse for the communing of the literary family in Kampala that had not happened in quite a while. We look forward to an even bigger celebration and experience as the years unfold.