The Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation has embarked on a project celebrating women of Uganda. The idea commenced last year in 2023, as a poetry collection idea. With resources pulled together and with a new generation of ideas, it is going to be a unique and worthwhile celebration.

Beverley N Nsengiyunva and Jackie Asiimwe (right)

Amongst those whom we shall be raising our glasses towards through poetry, is Jacqueline Asiimwe, who launched her book, early July 2024. The book, titled, ‘Facing Mountains,’ is a symbolic non-fictional account of her own feats of conquering six mountains. Each physical feat raised her grit towards much more.

Lillian Nabaggala, another iconic Ugandan woman whose journey through dance has broken many ceilings and raised a platform for various art forms through dance and film.

Esther Kalenzi, who, through 40 days and 40 smiles, supports hundreds of vulnerable children through education and health initiatives.

This is an inspiring year where Babishai reaches the hearts of people, across Uganda and Africa.

Join us on thsisremarkable journey.

The year so far has been filled with engaging and positively energised interactions with poets of all age, with spoken word performances and reading poetry in all its shapes and forms.

We began with sharing spaces with Poetry in session, revived by Roshan Karmali, its founder, a spoken word artist, performer, poet and writer herself. Other poets from Kampala performed their hearts out in stories and passionate anecdotes.

There were poetry readings in informal settings. The talent is mind-blowing across the continent. In Nairobi, there are a number of corporate spaces that are willing to share part of their evenings with the musicality of poetry.

When we continue to lend our voices across the globe, as poets and creators, something positive happens in the atmosphere.

2024: Poetry and People