PRESS RELEASE-THE INAUGURAL #BABISHAIMENTORSHIP PROGRAM

PRESS RELEASE-     THE INAUGURAL #BABISHAIMENTORSHIP PROGRAM 

10 NOVEMBER 2015

The Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation launches its pilot online mentorship scheme, which will run from November 2015 to May 2016. This first of its quest, this program is part of the #Babishaipoetry  annual prize, awarded to the shortlisted poets, who are some of the most highly imaginative, exceptionally talented and unswerving poets. This mentorship scheme in a sense, will enable them to foster a professional writing relationship with dedicated mentors to African poetry, nurturing their craft and building their confidence as performers. Some poets on the program are also winners from previous years. Amongst our mentors, whom we are most privileged to have are:-

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Nick Makoha represented Uganda at Poetry Parnassus as part of the Cultural Olympiad held in London. A former Writer in Residence for Newham Libraries, his 1-man-Show My Father & Other Superheroes debuted to sold-out performances at 2013 London Literature Festival and is currently on tour. He has been a panelist at both the inaugural Being A Man Festival (Fatherhood: Past, Present & Future) and Women Of The World Festival (Bringing Up Boys). In 2005 award-winning publisher Flippedeye launched its pamphlet series with his debut The Lost Collection of an Invisible Man. Part of his soon to be published 1st full collection The Second Republic is in the anthology Seven New Generation African Poets (Slapering Hol Press). Nick was a joint winner of the 2015 Brunel African Poetry prize and has poems that appear in the TriQuarterly Review and Boston Review and emerged third in the #Babishai2015 Poetry Award.

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Kwame Dawes

Ghanaian-born Jamaican poet, Kwame Dawes is the award-winning author of sixteen books of poetry (most recently, Wheels, 2011) and numerous books of fiction, non-fiction, criticism and drama. He is the Glenna Luschei Editor of Prairie Schooner, and a Chancellor’s Professor of English at the University of Nebraska.   Kwame Dawes also teaches in the Pacific MFA Writing program.  Dawes’ book, Duppy Conqueror: New and Selected Poems was published by Copper Canyon in 2013.Kwame is also the founder of the African Poetry Book Fund and African Poetry Book Series.

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 Stephen Derwent Partington.

Poetry is his primary hobby and passion. He began to write poetry at school. He describes his poetry as accessible. His early writing was full of Modernist allusions and foreign languages, but as he accessed more contemporary poetry this disappeared.

He’d probably also describe it as hybrid in the sense that while he has sought to fit into the Kenyan (and wider African) traditions of broadly Anglophone verse, lots of influences from his pre-Kenya days remain. He has been published widely in various anthologies and also,

published in; . Two collections, one in Kenya (SMS and Face to Face) and one from the UK (How to Euthanise a Cactus).

Harriet Anena is a Ugandan author, poet, and journalist. She is the author of a collection of poems, "A Nation In Labour" and currently works at African Centre for Media Excellence. Anena worked with the Daily Monitor newspaper as a reporter, sub-editor and deputy chief sub-editor from 2009 to September 2014. Her journalistic articles have been published in the Daily Monitor, New Vision and The Observer (Uganda). She has previously taught Specialized Writing at Islamic University In Uganda. (courtesy photo

Sopelekae Maithufi (courtesy photo)

 Associate Professor in the Department  of English Studies, University of South Africa. He generally researches how people in liminal positions discursively perform context-specific identities. This is an interest that he pursued with considerable earnestness subsequent to his MA degree candidacy in Postcolonial Literary Studies in English at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. His PhD (Wits, 2009) explored the suitability of Njabulo Ndebele's cultural studies model, the ‘ordinary’, to the representations of textures of everyday life in several South African short story writers. It reveals Maithufi's continued keenness in the novel ways in which subjects appropriate positions of authority beyond antinomian lines. As somebody who teaches mostly African literatures, literary and cultural studies theories from across the world, Maithufi attempts to highlight dynamic interplays between primary texts and theoretical frameworks.

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Aderemi Raji-Oyelade, popularly known as Remi Raji, Nigerian poet, scholar, literary organiser, and cultural activist. He graduated with a B.A. Hons degree, Second Class Upper, in English from the University of Ibadan in 1984. He got his Master’s degree in Literature in 1986 and his doctorate degree in African American and African literatures in 1994 from the same university.Professor Raji-Oyelade has published a number of books and essays in African, African American and Caribbean literatures, literary theory, contemporary Nigerian poetry, cultural studies and creative writing. A visiting professor and writer to a number of institutions including Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Universities of California at Riverside and Irvine, University of Cape Town, South Africa, Stockholm University, Sweden, and Cambridge University, UK, his scholarly essays have appeared in journals including Research in African Literatures and African Literature Today. He is the author of six collections of poetry including A harvest of laughters (1997) which has won national and international recognition, Webs of Remembrance (2001), Shuttlesongs America: A Poetic Guided Tour (2003), Lovesong for My Wasteland (2005), Gather My Blood Rivers of Song (2009), and Sea of my mind (2013).In December 2011, he was elected as the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, the largest umbrella body of writers in any African country. He served for two terms. Remi also serves on the board of the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation.

We intend to host the mentors and their poets at the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival, which runs from 24 to 26 August 2016 in Kampala under the theme of Abundance: Poetry From Contemporary Africa.

The poets on the pilot scheme are:-

1.      Lua Nsume Davis (Cameroon/U.S)

2.      Olajide Salawu (Nigeria)

3.      Tolase Ajibola  (Nigeria)

4.      Roxanna Kazibwe (Uganda)

5.      Sheila Okongo Nyanduaki  (Kenya)

6.      Ann Waruguru Kiai (Kenya)

7.      Babajide Olesugun (Nigeria)

8.      Sanya Noel  (Kenya)

9.      Famia Nkansa  (Ghana)

10.  Adhiambo Agoro   (Kenya)

11.  Gbenga Adesina   (Nigeria)

12.  Tom Jalio  (Kenya)

13.  Kelly Taremwa  (Uganda)

14.  Adeeko Ibukun  (Nigeria)

15.  Rashidah Namulondo  (Uganda)

This scheme will run annually and there will also be open calls for submissions next year.

Contact

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

Email: babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com

Twitter: @BNPoetryAward

Facebook: Babishai Niwe Poetry

I STARTED READING BOOKS AT THE AGE OF TWO, HOW ABOUT YOU? #BABISHAIBOOKS

“I started reading books at the age of two, when did you start reading?” That is what Asiimwe, Rachel and other children of Epitome Kindergarten in Muyenga will say. When people see their ability to articulate in exceptional ways, their highly imaginative ability, they will say that it's because they started reading from the age of two.

Thanks to their head-teacher, Joyce, who organized a book week from 2^nd to 6^th November. The shelves were filled with animations, folk-tales, fairy-tales, animal stories, fantasy books and jolly phonics, all with the aim of changing a generation. We were privileged as Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, to donate books to the children. Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, a critically acclaimed poet from Nigeria, winner of the 2014 Glenna Luschei Prize with three globally sought after poetry collections to his name, donated a large amount of books to the Babishai Children’s Book Drive. Grassroots Uganda, run by Lee Anyadwe, generously donated children’s material to the drive as well and for that we are eternally grateful. These donations came during the Babishai Poetry Festival in August 2015. It was the first ever poetry festival in Uganda and came with close to 250 guests from 11 different countries. Our next festival will be held from 24 to 26 August 2016 under the theme of Abundance: Poetry From Contemporary Africa. Amongst the confirmed guests are Kenyan actor and playwright, John Sibi Okumu, The Head of Literature at Makerere University, Botswana’s highly acclaimed poet, TJ Dema, amongst others.

SPECIAL CALL FOR UGANDAN WOMEN POETS-#BABISHAI2016 POETRY FESTIVAL

Are you a Ugandan female poet brimming with poetry and verse? Are you ready to take your poetry from the page to the stage? Then join us for the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival from 24-26 August 2016, under the theme, Abundance: Poetry From Contemporary Africa.

Paula Biraaro receiving her prize in 2012. Photo by Buyondo

We invite you to showcase your work by:-

Ø  Launching your poetry collection

Ø  Performing your poems

Ø  Attending a poetry master class or monologue

Ø  Participating in a poetry dialogue or silent poetry or

Ø  Showcasing children's poetry or poetography

We accept poetry in Lumasaaba, Luo, Luganda, Runyankore and any other Ugandan language.

During the three-day festival, we will also have new and older Ugandan and international poets and artistes performing, holding open mics and children’s poetry sessions. 

Eligibility:-

If you are a Ugandan female poet, send us the following:-

v  A one-page summary of what you propose to showcase (as MS Word attachment)

v  A 500-word bio (as MS Word attachment)

v  A recent passport photograph (in jpeg or GIFF)

v  Links to your previous work

All works should be sent to babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com

DEADLINE: Monday, 8 February 2016.

Successful poets will be notified on Monday, 4 April 2016

We look forward to CELEBRATING #Babishai2016 with you

For inquiries, contact: 

Harriet Anena: +256781412975 

Prior to the festival, from June 10^th to 13th 2016, we will hold a poetry session at The Foothills of The Mountains of The Moon. Find details here: http://bnpoetryaward.blogspot.ug/2015/10/babishai-poetry-on-mountain-10-to-13.html 

#BABISHAI2016 CELEBRATES #LAWINO@50, 24-26 AUGUST 2016

#BABISHAI2016    #LAWINO@5O

 Are you filled with the potency, cultural significance and shrewdness of Okot p’ Bitek’s Song of Lawino? Then join us for the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival from 24-26 August 2016 in Kampala. This is an open call.

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Under the special theme, #LAWINO@50, we invite you to showcase your work by:-

Ø  Performing your poems on the theme of @Lawino@50

Ø  Attending ding or holding a poetry master class or monologue

Ø  Participating in a poetry dialogue or silent poetry or

Ø  Showcasing children's poetry or poetography
--  Presenting a critical paper for discussion

We accept poetry in Acholi, Langi, Alur, Lumasaaba, Luganda, Runyankore and any language, you please. We want to hear from you and celebrate with you.

During the three-day festival, we will also have new and older Ugandan and international poets and artistes performing, holding open mics and children’s poetry sessions. 

Eligibility

It's an open call.

v  A one-page summary of what you propose to showcase (as MS Word attachment)

v  A 500-word bio (as MS Word attachment)

v  A recent passport photograph (in jpeg or GIFF)

v  Links to your previous work

All works and inquiries should be sent to babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com

DEADLINE: Monday, 8 February 2016.

Successful poets will be notified on Monday, 4 April 2016

Prior to the festival,  we will hold a poetry session at The Foothills of The Mountains of The Moon from June 10^th to 13th 2016. Find details here: http://bnpoetryaward.blogspot.ug/2015/10/babishai-poetry-on-mountain-10-to-13.html 

We look forward to CELEBRATING #Babishai2016 with you!

BABISHAI POETRY ON THE MOUNTAIN: 10 TO 13 JUNE 2016

Don't you want to write a poem that doesn’t end? To climb a mountain that will climb along with you?

Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, together with Uganda Travel Bureau wants to take you on a poetry journey that will never end. Poetry On The Foothills of The Mountains of The Moon. From June 10^th to 13^th in 2016, we will leave Kampala and start our trek from Kilembe to the Rwenzori ranges.  It’s about poetry and you, poetry and nature, poetry on the mountain. Let your inner poet have an adventure. #Babishai2016

Internet photo of the indescribable scene

THE TREK

On 10^th June 2016, we will depart from Kampala to Hotel Margherita in Kasese. On 10^th June 2016, we will depart from Kampala to Hotel Margherita in Kasese. Hotel Margherita, very highly recommended, is a poem itself, with views of the various Rwenzori ranges, sounds of  birds chirping poetry in the mornings and very well trained and warm staff.

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11th June 2016-Day 2 

At 7:00am on 11^th June 2016, we will depart from Rwenzori Trekkers to begin our extraordinary voyage.

Using the Kilembe entrance point, we will set off from the Rwenzori Trekkers Hostel and walk for 2.2km (about 45 min) to the park gate at the UWA post. This will be at a height of 1725m on the incredible Mountains of The Moon.

The Poetry-where nature will turn its focus on us as we read our poetry

We’ll continue the walk for two and a half hours, up the trail up to the Lunch stop at a height of 2,570m. At this height, nature will turn its focus on us as we take in the breathtaking view. This is the point where we will break for lunch and then hold our poetry session.

During lunch, our moderator from the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, will moderate the poetry session while overlooking one of the most scenic environments in Uganda, the Rwenzori ranges. Poems and spoken word pieces will come from every point of inspiration, some spontaneous. With the backdrop of the Rwenzori ranges, the sounds of birds, the sky within our grasp and the future in our hands, Poetry On The Mountain will be an experience like never before.

Internet photo of the breathtaking view

12th June:
Return to Kampala.

Our guide:

We will be guided by capable and experienced Deo Lubega, Patron of the Mountain Club of Uganda, who has climbed Mt. Rwenzori 6 times and Mt. Muhavura 4 times. His experience and stories will not only make it worthwhile but lead you to reach for something higher within yourself.

The Fee:

Each individual will pay 355 USD which will include the following:-

We shall package the fee to include:- Registration, Park fees, Transport, Accommodation, Lunch, Service provider charges (porters and guides) .


Early Registration Prize:
Those who pay by February 29th 2016, receive a fully paid for night at Park View Safari Lodge on 13th June 2016. This lodge overlooks Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese.

For Payment details and Inquiries, contact the following:-

Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation

Director Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

Tel: +256 751 703226

Email: babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com

UGANDA TRAVEL BUREAU 2004 LTD. Pan Africa House, plot no.3 Kimathi Avenue

PO Box 5619, Kampala, Uganda

Tel:     +256 312 232 555 / 414 335 335

Fax:    +256 414 236 998

Cell:    +256 712 890 369

24-hour Emergency no. +256 772 232 555

Email:deo.lubega@ug.fcm.travel

www.travelUTB.com

Do not hesitate to contact any of the above for account details. #Babishai2016

#BABISHAI2015 FESTIVAL REPORT

 #Babishai2015, 1ST POETRY FESTIVAL in Uganda, organized by the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation
photo credits: Zahara Abdul

     

 

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva, Adeeko Ibukun and Professor Remi Raj

The #Babishai2015 poetry festival, the first poetry festival in Uganda, took place from 26 to 28 August 2015 at The Uganda Museum in Kampala. The open-themed festival, organized by the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, was a celebration of the #Babishai2015 shortlisted poets, awarding the winners, sharing poetry through master-classes, performing before younger and older audiences and launching the BN Poetry Foundation’s second anthology, Boda Boda Anthem and Other Poems: A Kampala Poetry Anthology. The estimated number of participants in total was 250 and the total number of countries represented was 11. There was also a welcome to the festival discussion of the #Babishai2015 shortlisted poems led by Harriet Anena, held at Femrite on 24^th August.

Davina Kawuma and Harriet Anena

Members at the discussion

Being the first poetry festival brought exciting and well-thought out sessions. On the first day, the festival began with a dance breakfast with celebrated dance group, Batalo East. Abdul, the dance director, opened up with a physical awakening of our bodies and minds and artists and consumers of art. While dancing with the festival participants, Abdul engaged in conversation about the poetry of dance and how our bodies communicate more than we can ever think.

Abdul and Sammy Wetaala in dance session.

  Later on was a master-class by Dr. Charles Mulekwa, entitled, From the page to the stage. During this session, Charles highlighted how stage performances cannot or should not exist without the process of the page, meaning writing, re-drafting and editing. Two of his students performed various poems, practically giving new meanings to words on a page.

During poetry-in-session that evening, a monthly session hosted by Roshan Karmali, the true meaning of liberty through art was felt. With performances from Checkmate Mido, Fatuma’s Voice, Professor Remi Raji, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, Khamara Ashnan, Jason Ntaro, Fortune Unlimited, Gordon Musinguzi, Roshan herself and other celebrated poets, each piece a personal ritual and conviction of words, rose into a unique and most memorable night.

  

On the 27 August, second day of the festival, we held two master-classes. The first was by Professor Remi Raji, who is a board member of the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation and current President of Association of Nigerian Authors.  His class was a discussion of poetry, its craft, importance of respecting the craft and appreciating poets that have inspired great works of a generation. He then demonstrated the importance of pruning writing, of thinking creatively in order to write creatively and ended with a challenge of writing a spontaneous chain poem. The results were incredible.  

Another unforgettable session was led by Ife Piankhi and Checkmate Mido, ‘From the page to the stage.’They engaged us in role play, picking character traits and demonstrating them without speaking. It was quite hilarious, challenging and worthwhile. Theirs dealt with body language and the power of silence,  as we understood better ourselves, our voices and our innermost convictions as we react emotionally. All this played into how and why we write and perform poetry. It was spontaneous and tricky at the same time. Kagayi Peter, one of Uganda's celebrated spoken word poets, led us through important discussions on poetry and the spoken word, challenging us into deeper understanding.

 

Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, who also led a master class, used a more spiritual and soul-searching approach. He acknowledged that poets are spiritual beings and that their poetry should manifest from that deep spiritual connection. Kagayi Peter, a well celebrated poet from Uganda, spoke candidly about poetry, the learning process, the spoken craft, identifying with subject matter and production.

   

None of us knew that blogging poetry could be so much fun and Magunga Williams, one of Kenya’s most celebrated bloggers and Eric Otieno from Fatuma’s Voice. Blogging is one of the most essential forms of communicating in our times. It’s creative, has a wide reach and potentially positive influence. Blogging, in order to be taken seriously, requires utmost care and consistence in order to gain credibility. #hopeyougotthat .Femrite, Black Poet and Checkmate Mido met students, children and a few older poets, sharing challenges and joys of writing but mostly encouraging younger writers to not give up, to read and practice as much as they could and read widely.

In the evening, we launched Boda Boda Anthem and Other Poems: A Kampala Poetry Anthology, at the Goethe Institut. Close to 100 guests were in attendance. The anthology, edited by Ugandan writer, Mildred Barya, a doctoral fellow at The University of Denver, is a selection of voices across the world, on me the theme of Kampala City. The verses, well selected and edited, magnify Kampala’s weaknesses, strengths and aspirations, through their imaginative images and strong diction. Guest appearances from Daniel Omara, one of Africa’s greatest stand up comedians, were a major highlight. Chijioke Amu-Nnadi launched the anthology and Professor Remi Raji made an order of 30 copies for each of the states of Nigeria represented under the Association of Nigerian Authors. Jalada Africa, who sent reviews to several journals in East Africa, also led discussions on the anthology and asked participants about their own imaginative depiction of Kampala in 50 years time.

  

On Friday the 28th, the day began with a session entitled, “When the earth weeps, art also weeps.” Led by Sara Kaweesa, a board member of the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation and director and founder of Arocha Uganda, she emphasized how crucial it is for us to be stewards of thee earth and use creative messaging to share that to the rest of the world. As artists, our responsibility is to raise as much awareness of the dangers of global warming, littering and un-care of the environment. Next that day was Poetry On the Mountain. In partnership with Uganda Travel Bureau, The Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation will take poets and thrill seekers for an excursion to The Mountains of The Moon in Kasese-Uganda. Deo Lubega, Patron of the Mountain Club of Uganda, took us through the process of both physical and mental preparation for the task ahead. Interested participants registered and from June 10 to 13 in 2016, about 50 enthusiasts will climb Mountains of the Moon and recite poetry, at an individual fee of 355 USD. For more details, visit the website or email bnpoetryaward@bnpoetryaward.co.ug.

Maritza

       

Every lunch time of the festival was filled with performances from various artists including children. In order to fill the demand for performance space, this was necessary. We then held a session led by Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda, who talked about historical buildings in the city and how important the documentation of history is, to the preservation of culture. Later, we were hosted by Martha Byoga aka Maritza, host on Urban T.V, who interviewed past winners and shortlisted poets of the Babishai Niwe Poetry prize, alongside the #Babishai2015 shortlisted poets. It was here that Rashida Namulondo, Kelly Taremwa, Flavia Kabuye, Sophie Alal, Sheila Okongo Nyanduaki, Regina Asinde, Adeeko Ibukun and Nakisanze Segawa, who were present. Interestingly, while a few poets wrote their poems on the spur, all of them had to go through the rigor of re-writing, editing and self-doubt, which still re-emphasizes the importance for all poets, that nurturing is always key.

           

In the evening, was the grand finale award ceremony. Guests filled the main hall of the Uganda Museum. Various poets filled the stage and a documentary highlighting the Babishai Niwe Poetry journey was played, before Professor Remi Raji, board member of Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation and President of Association of Nigerian Authors, announced the top five winners.

The #Babishai2015 celebrated shortlisted poets by name:-

Adhiambo Agoro from Kenya, Richard Otwao from Uganda, Arinze Ifeakandu from Nigeria, Sheila Okongo from Kenya, Nick Makoha from Uganda, Sanya Noel from Kenya, Lua Davis from Cameroon, Gbenga Adesina from Nigeria, Famia Nkansa from Ghana, Tolase Ajibola from Nigeria, Babajide Olusegun from Nigeria, Danica Kreusch from South Africa, Salawu Olajide from Nigeria, Ann Waruguru from Kenya and Adeeko Ibukun from Nigeria.

In fifth place was Ghanaian poet Famia Nkansa, for her delightful love poem, Elixir.

In fourth place was very memorable poem Like Scented Mangoes by Nigeria’s Arinze Ifeakandu.

In third place was the irresistibly provocative master poet, Nick Makoha from Uganda, with his poem, LHR.

In second place was the chilling and highly imaginative poem, The Ghost of Jevangee by Sheila Okongo Omare Nyanduaki of Kenya. She attended the Storymoja Festival in Nairobi in September.

And in first place, from over 2,000 poems, Adeeko Ibukun’s A Room With A Drowning Book, emerged winner. The subtle politics, vivid imagery, atypical structure and secreted message, were some of the winning points for the jury. Adeeko’s winning prize: 1,000 USD. Along with other shortlisted poets, m prizes include attendance at the Lagos International Poetry Festival, the Ake Arts and Book Festival, online mentorship for six months and copies of poetry collection and anthologies from poets celebrated world-wide. The prizes for first fifteen winners : Copies of poetry collections and anthologies, participation in various literary festivals continent-wide and six months online mentorship from well-known, celebrated, remarkable poets world-wide.

    

We thank all volunteers, George Kiwanuka, Caesar Obong, Sheila Abaho, Sylvia Nakiirya, Rosey Sembatya, Mirembe Kisakye, Nambozo Norah, Joan Agaba, Christine Namubiru and Ann Apio.

  

      #Babishai2015 winning poem

           A ROOM WITH A DROWNING BOOK  by Adeeko Ibukun (Nigeria)

            Somewhere in the room a book is drowning, the floor

            is shivering with pages. You said the spine is the balance

 to our two winged hearts. Sometimes it’s the light knitting

            its letters to our hearts. I see how things hold us in their lights

so we aren’t here or there like you’re here and somewhere

a lover holds you in her heart, light in water teaching these lessons.

Sometimes something holds clearly what we couldn’t say in words.

We face it to learn our silence and that again becomes part of

our languages. Places own us like this, light bounces off them,

turning their spears at me. Our hearts beat now and vision takes

its shapes—the stream of consciousness, nuances as water turn,

streamlet as novella lost in our undercurrent.  I’m lost in a story now

or a story’s lost in me. Perhaps we should hang on words so that

we do not drown. Remembering makes living its anchor. So I asked

if it’s us you wanted to save insisting everything  is placed this way

and that way of our anniversaries, each moment  achieved  as light

buried in water—so it’s here or there, past or present, our chairs and tables,

dresser and records becoming the dykes. The mirror’s at an angle

to the world so it does not yield all its light at once. Everything’s our

subject before we become their subject, relying on memories to endure.

    All #Babishai2015 shortlisted poems can be read here:

  http://bnpoetryaward.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-bn-poetry-award-2015-shortlist-is.html

  Photos of our festival can be viewed on our blog at http://bnpoetryaward.blogspot.com

  Follow us on Twitter @BNPoetryAward

 Best Wishes!

 Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

 And the Babishai Niwe team.

 Thanks to our partners:-

 Stichting Doen, The Uganda Museum, The Uganda Society, Urban TV, Power FM 104.1, Gilgal   Media Arts, Storymoja, Novel Concepts, Parresia Publishers, Sunday Trust Nigeria, Femrite,  Sooo Many Stories, Poetry in Session, Nation Media, Jalada Africa, Lawino Magazine, Touch FM 95.9, The Observer Uganda, tru-IT Uganda Limited, The New Vision, Goethe-Institut, Uganda Travel Bureau, Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda and Malaika Educare.

#Babishai2016 festival takes place from 24 to 26 August 2016 - The Uganda Museum

#Babishai2015 launching poetry on the mountain and speaking with Sara Kaweesa

Sara Kaweesa, board member.

Our #Babishai2015 winners

Mercy

Deo Lubega, Patron of the Mountain Club of Uganda