At the end of my engineering degree studies, I chose to join the Lantern Meet of Poets instead of FEMRITE. However, the larger personalities at FEMRITE continued to be a part of mine and LMOP’s engagement with the literary arts community in Uganda. Hilda Twongyeirwe’s invitation to collaborate at Kwivuga, Beverley Nambozo’s Babishai Niwe Poetry Award, Susan Kiguli’s public support at the poetry recitals, tacit or not, we received the sort of cheerleading that is difficult to forget or ignore.
FEMRITE began in 1995 by Mary Karooro Okurut who was a lecturer at Makerere University at the time. She was joined by Susan Kiguli, Glaydah Namukasa, Hilda Twongyeirwe, Goretti Kyomuhendo, Ayeta Anne Wangusa, Martha Ngabirano, Margaret Ntakalimaze, Rosemary Kyarimpa, Philomena Rwabukuku, and Judith Kakonge and others. Women who have gone on to wield formidable reputations for themselves both in the literary and development corridors. In twenty-five years of existence, FEMRITE boasts a reach far beyond its borders.
FEMRITE brought and brings together strong vibrant voices to speak on behalf of everyday people; value, self-worth, recognition, words that many need desperately to hear; my story is important, my life has meaning. It provides accessibility, visibility, learning, community, and continuity in the programs it continues to run. Its weekly writer’s club gives budding and established writers an opportunity to interact, inadvertently growing the skills of the writers’ in its community. Its publishing arm has produced literature on topics as important as female genital mutilation, domestic violence and abuse, and HIV/AIDS. Its partnership with publishers abroad avails books that would be difficult to access locally.
Could you give us a brief background on FEMRITE?
(It was) started in 1995 by Honorable Karooro who was teaching literature at University and was a member of Action for development. (She) had witnessed the absence of women’s literature and seen the need for women writers to get together and to support one another to write. She was aware of the contribution of literary arts to development (as well as) the importance of reading well-balanced literature. At the time, many women were talking about having manuscripts that had been submitted to publishers and been rejected mostly on the account of the gender of the writers. Some of these manuscripts formed the first set of FEMRITE publications.
Does FEMRITE still view itself as a body aimed solely at the promotion of women’s work? Why?
From (the) start FEMRITE has never aimed solely at the promotion of women’s work. It is a women’s organisation but which has supported both men and women to develop their writing craft and their work. It is only some programmes such as the residential writing workshops and regional residencies which are preserved for women because their challenges are many times very different from those of men and so it is important that they have their own space; a room of her own, so to speak.
In what ways has the literary landscape in Uganda changed since FEMRITE first opened its doors?
There are more literary initiatives doing some of the things FEMRITE was doing and much more. There are more writers and more publications. From the one Week of Literary Activities that FEMRITE used to run now, we have more open to the public literary festivals we look forward to such as the Writivism Literary Festival, the BNP Poetry Festival, and others.
What do you view as FEMRITE’s biggest achievements and contributions in Uganda and beyond?
FEMRITE lit the literary culture candle in Uganda and the region and so many candles have been lit from the FEMRITE candle, sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly. Some initiatives replicate some FEMRITE activities in other spaces which is great because FEMRITE cannot reach everywhere. The organisation has trained and published many writers especially women. Before FEMRITE, there were hardly any female writers in the country. Today, so many women attest to have started their writing culture with FEMRITE. It has published novels, poetry, and short story anthologies that have changed Uganda’s literary landscape. Many members of FEMRITE have established very crucial initiatives that are doing great work. Initiatives such as Success Spark of Jackee Batanda, African Writers Trust of Goretti Kyomuhendo, Babishai Niwe of Beverly Nambozo, Other initiatives such as PEN International – Uganda Chapter, were inaugurated at the FEMRITE offices while others have consulted with FEMRITE a lot regarding ideas for literary programming. The FEMRITE Week of Literary Activities was the first in the country and for long, it inspired creativity in the country. FEMRITE championed yet again the Book Market which has been a to-look-forward-to monthly event in Kampala, held at Uganda Museum in partnership with Uganda Museum, African Studies Book Store, Lantern Meet Foundation, Uganda Society, and other partners. In partnership with Goethe Zentrum Kampala, the organisation runs regular Author Conversations – an event that promotes creative writers and editors. Through such partnerships, FEMRITE continues to contribute to the growth and strengthening of the literary arts sector. The FEMRITE Readers Writers Club which is open to both men and women is the longest standing literary club in the country.
Beyond Uganda, the organisation championed regional initiatives through the Regional Residency for African women writers that have trained over 150 African Women Writers. In partnership with African Women Development Fund, the organisation has coordinated and hosted the African Women Non-fiction writers Workshop which has trained over 70 women writers.
Members of FEMRITE such as Glaydah Namukasa, Harriet Anena, Doreen Baingana, and others have had or are having professional training – Master of Fine Arts –and they all participate in equipping other Upcoming Ugandan and African writers with creative writing skills.
Several members have won awards too and that has contributed immensely to the visibility of the country. Some of the winning members include Monica Arac, Doreen Baingana, Jackee Batanda, Glaydah Namukasa, Beverley Nambozo, Harriet Anena, Lillian Aujo, among others
What have been the biggest challenges the organisation has faced?
Minimal resources which most of the time does not allow the organisation to operate at what would be its full capacity.
Lack of book and literary professions to support the sector.
Lack of supportive book and literary policies critical to the growth and development of the literature sector.
Lack of streamlined governance of the culture sector which leads to a lack of budget prioritisation of sector needs by the government.
Why do you think FEMRITE has lasted so long when the lifespan of many organisations is 5 years?
Many things;
- The continued relevance of the organisation.
- The passion and dedication of people involved with the organisation right from those who started the organisation, to all those who have joined over the years.
- The friends and development partners who continue to support the organisation.
- The literary initiatives that support FEMRITE activities and provide a favourable literary environment.
- The Press continues to highlight FEMRITE achievements and activities.
- The reading public which keeps asking for more.
What do the next ten years look like for FEMRITE?
FEMRITE will continue to train and promote writers especially women and step up its work with regard to advocacy for Ugandan literature again especially women’s literature. It is critical for instance, that since the beginning of the teaching of literature in English in Uganda (from the early 60s), only a few women’s books have been taught on the examinable syllabus – The Curse of the Sacred Cow by Mary Karooro Okurut and A Poetic Duet by Sophie Bamwoyeraki and Jane Okot. It is important that women’s works are put at the center of education too.
The organisation will continue to step up its work in the region with the aim of strengthening her publishing arm into a fully-fledged Women’s publishing press.
What advice would you give to young organisations like the Lantern Meet foundation?
- Partnerships are very important. Resources to run the organisation will come from people; not trees. Continue to build relationships!
- Have the passion. The arts run on passion. I bet that is why the Lantern Meet Foundation has survived beyond 5 years too.