Zziwa Zinabala
PART ONE: NOVELS
How pertinent is it to read local authors? I have read so many international authors whilst growing up – during the many classes I have attended, the most outstanding thing I have witnessed is the constant referencing of writers that are not Ugandan. The teachers are ignorant about the presence of writers in their own country, they are most fluent in authors that describe foreign names and place. They then ridicule the available literature as being of poor standards and unworthy of their attention. True, some Ugandan books need strong reviews about how poor and shallow they are, the authors need truth to progress. However, on reading my 30 titles that are Ugandan, I have learned a lot as a reader. There is beauty in imperfection; the poorly written books also serve as lessons. Thus, I must assert to anyone reading this article that Ugandans are truly talented people, they only lack a platform/pulpit/space to which they can be recognized. For I have learned with time that whosoever wants literature like novels, plays in East Africa runs to Kenya, even Ugandan writers that want to kick start their careers in writing run to Kenya where there is a bigger readership of Kenyan literature or local content. Why this? We readers in Uganda need to criticize this (our) literature by being able to purchase that content – for I have learned that no one has a right to criticize if never purchased. We should learn to be patriotic through purchasing local commodities. That is how we develop a community that is sustainable financially. With pride, I write that I have been able to read eight novels, six plays, ten poetry collections and six nonfictional content like biographies, academic research books:
In all books read this year, Kunda is an exceptional novel. ZaazPress a budding publishing house in Uganda published this book in 2019. Rachael A.Z. Mutabingwa with a unique style tells a story that is innovative, bold and passionate. This 359-page novel is a discipline that must be studied in the nearest future. The novel is a win for Ugandan literature community. This is because we witness time travel, a discipline that is not Ugandan. We also access to a spiritual being/ grandiose spirit that is watchful and compassionate about how things move but also the grandiose spirit is sad about how toxic society is. I can affirm that Rachael is talented and must be protected, nurtured until she reaches Zion. The grapevine I have managed to gather is that, Rachael has another novel called Adavera. I hope to read this Adavera one day next year. Have you read this book?
What about Saints and Scarecrows? Ulyssess C. Kibuuka has always given me joy reading. Sometimes, I have inner conversations with self that Ulyssess died so soon. Many readers in Uganda truly do not know how powerful an author Kibuuka is. Of Saints and Scarecrows is a novel published in 2007 by Fountain Publishers. This novel narrates how a certain religious nun fell in love with a Muslim man; she later produced for him a baby. The book is a tragic for we witness many deaths. I sympathize with the author for he wrote a perfect book that is very important in questioning about religious faiths and how important it is to love. The author embarks on arguments of cultural degradation, distorted histories and the impact such histories are affecting us all in this contemporary community. It is important to note that Uylsess has written many books including an investigative “A Kampala Murder Plot” in 2018 – this might have been his last book written. Kibuuka died this year. A big void to fill. I must confess, Kibuuka usage of French in Of Saints and Scarecrows is impeccable. He has that top-notch style that keeps giving. You must be patient with him if you want to enjoy him. For those saying Ugandans write poor books, have you read any of Kibuuka’s books before you draw conclusions? Fools conclude in such a manner that Ugandans do not know how to write. You are just ignorant!
There are many ways of telling people your personal life without being offensive to self. In the early months of 2023, I was having a conversation with a friend about gender identity and sexuality. He then kept on sharing about a young man who was suffering because of how he was born. A friend of mine has an interesting conversation about sexuality. Many times, his arguments are just sentimental but not logical. I, however, enjoy listening to people sharing about this most trending debate in Uganda. Anyways, this friend tells me about a book called “Wild Flower”. His argument kept me interested in the book; I thus choose to buy this book written by Kenneth Samuel Muhindo. Kenneth, tells us about an important subject (sexuality) in his book – an androgynous protagonist. Kenneth, narrates a sad story how this young man fails in all lifestyles, not because he is lazy but because of his ways of life – gait. People assume him for a gay person. The book is farrago of emotions. I must be frank to anyone reading this that I reached time and I felt so bad for the character that was betrayed way from school – life was unfair to him. This book reminds me of an infamous book called “From Juliet to Julius: In Search of My True Gender Identity” by Julius Kaggwa. Kaggwa’s story is not far from this short novelette by Kenneth. They are both men searching for their identity and approval in society. However, I must also share my distress that this novel Wild Flower was poorly printed, the typesetting is very poor, the binding is horrible, the ink is not good enough, and the paper is poor. If he Kenneth wants to find meaning in what he writes, he must learn to invest. You cannot sell a book that expensive but fail to understand the book process – it was hurtful reading a good idea with poor basics of writing process. He needs a lecture about this. This book was written in 2023. Kenneth autographed these words for me: “To Zziwa Zinabala// You are special, unique and that is your power, keep standing for what you believe in, one day the world will adjust. This is from me to you as you read this book. May God bless you and fulfill all your heart desires// from the author.” It is prudent to appreciate the uncomfortable conversations in our societies. I believe we Ugandans are now ready to embrace these controversial debates and have an inclusive society that is tolerant to all.
The plight of infertility is a silent carcinoma eating society silently; we then forget how important it is not to point a finger. Sheila Ajok Lubangakene tells us an important concern about infertility. Her novelette Still a Mum published in 2019 is a lesson to society. I reviewed this book earlier this year as a tribute to motherhood and appreciating the importance of respecting mothers especially those that are unable to have normal paths of fertility. Ajok, has a unique talent she must learn to harness. Occasionally, she went off script instead of narrating a fictional story, it kept a little personal. I read wounds of the writer. With proper nurturing, she is a talent that will bloom yonder and yonder and tell a feminist story. She was a joy to read. Her book was a recommendation, I wanted to explore something a little different, and indeed, I enjoyed my journey.
Sometimes, we buy books according to names or previous experience with a certain writer. Many times these writers must have written a good story and then we try to purchase new titles from them. Thus, I purchased The Official Wife by Mary Karooro Okurut. Fountain Publishers published this book in 2003. I complained to Fountain Publishers about the choice of this cover designer. The concept was poorly baked. Fountain Publishers, has the financial muscle to hire a good graphics designer but perhaps it is not their priority for now. However, the world has advanced – someone can purchase a book because of a nice book cover. This is a necessary fix for Fountain Publisher. On reading this book, I was a little disappointed as a fan of Karooro. The book was not well coordinated. The plot is not continuous. There is no thirst-creation to the reader. Any reader can get bored on the way and they put it aside. I think Karooro must rethink reprinting this book; I was very disappointed on reading her book. In my thinking, this book was not a fit for a novel kind of genre. It should have been an academic book/ an anthology with testimonies of women that have suffered with cheating men. It would have been stories about cheating in the wedlock. It would have made sense. This is according to my observation on reading the book. I do believe this can be fixed and to make amends to this beautiful idea.
The most powerful wit to make society better is through writing about what hurts you as a citizen. That is how you build your nation as a writer/ citizen. The autograph says; “It is an honour for me to stand in greatness. Surely, Zziwa I will always live to tell this tale. Enjoy the read. I love you!” I get frightened when I see the phrase “I love you” written by a man to me (joking). However, I love this young man because of his charisma to write proudly and confidently. Godwin Muwanguzi, the author of “Fingers of the Devil” published in 2022 by Iconic Publication is an eloquent young emerging writer. There is a talent inside him shouting so hard to be shared to the world. Even his publisher is a young man still pursuing his education at Makerere University. I truly do not know how they met but I am quite sure it is a pleasant sight, seeing young people working hand-in-hand. However, I sometimes get worried that we fail to witness the full potential of young talents. This is to say, they find jobs that treat them better – good salaries. They then give up with writing. Sometimes, the sales are slow and painful; they then lose the grit to carry-on. That is the book situation in our country. I am not a great person as Godwin claims in his autograph. I am quite the opposite; stubborn and annoying. Godwin meets me at Makerere University Department of Literature. I was inside an office of someone, and we were sharing about literature. It was pleasant seeing him for the first time. Godwin’s political novel is a good start for him as a young writer. I am very certain, if he exposes himself further into the climate of politics. He will roar and write better. The beginning of his book is very poetic, stylish, eloquent – a sign that he has taken off time to write. However, towards the end, he loses the grip, floundering a little but gains track. The floundering I might think is due to fatigue. A common element to all writers out there. He needs good guidance. He needs a mentor. Godwin one day will become our George Orwell in Uganda if he reads a lot and understands the subject he is trying to address – like the political terms he can use whilst writing. There is hope amongst the young people. I am very proud that I finally read his book. A promising career.
“The most perfectly written novel I have read in Uganda is that little book,” he points at Cassandra written by Violent Barungi, published by FEMRITE Publication Limited in 1999. The best feeling I get is when a fellow Ugandan recommends to me a book written by Ugandan. It is a good feeling to uphold. It is a good gesture to me that they understand Ugandan books. They do not just flounder in the swamp of, I-only-read-European-literature. Well, Cassandra was a recommendation by a lecturer at Makerere University, Department of Literature. I am naturally a curious person especially if an academic recommends to me their favorite books. I just want to find out why that book. Every detail in Cassandra is well written. The writer of this book is talented, mature and well composed. There are twists in Cassandra that are annoying. I felt so bad when the writer did not write the story the way I wanted it to go. That is how personal the book was to me. I loved the details, the emotions, the tension, the cry-out. The major theme of Women Emancipation. This is how powerful Barungi wrote her book. I was very pleased. A must behold and a must read to us all.
“Secrets no More” by Goretti Kyomuhendo published by FEMRITE Publication Limited in 1999 is an important book telling stories about the aftermath of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. How different young people did what they did to survive the onslaught in Rwanda. Goretti reminds us all about the senseless tribal wars that engulf our minds. The book is a beauty about survival. A good feat and a powerful one written by powerful writer like Goretti Kyomuhendo.
In brief, it is important to note that I am sharing my personal experience with the different novels I have read this year that are Ugandan. It is also important to note that this review is not out of malice. It is simply a genuine observation from the reader.
This post was created with our nice and easy submission form. Create your post!
