Kakwenza Rukirabashaija
{{Short description|Ugandan Lawyer and novelist (born 1968)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox writer
| birth_name = Kakwenza Rukirabashaija
| image = Kakwenza_Rukirabashaija_with_his_Havel_Prize’s_bronze_sculpture_depicting_the_Goddess_of_Democracy.jpg
| caption = Kakwenza Rukirabashaija with his Havel Prize
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|10|1|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Rukungiri District, Uganda
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = Lawyer and Novelist
| nationality = Ugandan
| education = Kyambogo University
{{small|(Bachelor of Development Studies)}}
University of Cape Town
{{small|(Master of Journalism)}}
Cavendish University Uganda
{{small|(Bachelor of Laws)}}
European University Viadrina
{{small|(Master of Laws)}}
| genre = Fiction, satire
| subject =
| notableworks = {{ubl|The Greedy Barbarian (2020)|Banana Republic: Where Writing is Treasonous (2020)| The Savage Avenger (2023)}}
| awards = {{ubl|English PEN International Writer of Courage Award 2021| 2022 Nominee for Disturbing the Peace Award}}{{cite web |url=https://www.vhlf.org/awards/2022-disturbing-the-peace-award-to-a-courageous-writer-at-risk-short-list-announced/ |title=2022 DISTURBING THE PEACE AWARD TO A COURAGEOUS WRITER AT RISK: SHORT LIST ANNOUNCED |last= |first= |date= |website=vhlf.org |publisher=The Václav Havel Library Foundation |access-date=24 April 2023 |quote=}}
2023 Václav Havel International Prize
| website =
}}
Kakwenza Rukirabashaija (born 1 October 1988) is a Ugandan novelist and lawyer.{{Cite web |title=And yet Kakwenza still writes bluntly in a Banana Republic |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/life/and-yet-kakwenza-still-writes-bluntly-in-a-banana-republic-3698706 |website=Daily Monitor monitor.co.ug |date=30 January 2022 |first=Andrew |last=Kaggwa |access-date=24 April 2023}} He is the author of The Greedy Barbarian{{Cite web |title=Book review: The Greedy Barbarian |url=https://whispereye.co.ug/2021/03/01/book-review-the-greedy-barbarian-kakwenza-rukirabashaija/ |first=Jacobs O. |last=Seaman |website=whispereye.co.ug |date=March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107225042/https://whispereye.co.ug/2021/03/01/book-review-the-greedy-barbarian-kakwenza-rukirabashaija/ |archive-date=7 Jan 2022 |quote=Kayibanda is a miscreant personified. He is born without moral scruples. And no father. But with an enviable ability to invent such putrid mischief and greed that even the writer appears at a loss to narrate.}} and Banana Republic: Where Writing is Treasonous.{{Cite web |url=https://www.blackstarnews.com/global-politics/africa/book-serialization-banana-republic-where-writing-is-treasonous |website=blackstarnews.com |title=Book Serialization: Banana Republic, Where Writing Is Treasonous--Part II |first=Kakwenza |last=Rukirabashaija |date=September 21, 2020 |quote=Author and Black Star News columnist Rukirabashaija out on bail. Black Star News is serializing below a new book Banana Republic, Where Writing Is Treasonous by Ugandan author and Black Star News columnist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija.}} He was named winner of the English PEN 2021 Pinter International Writer of Courage Award.{{Cite web |title=Penwrites. Send a message of support and solidarity to Ugandan novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija. |url=https://www.englishpen.org/pen-writes/penwrites-kakwenza-rukirabashaija/ |date=2023 |website=englishpen.org |access-date=24 April 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Ugandan novelist Rukirabashaija named 2021 International Writer of Courage {{!}} The Bookseller |date=October 11, 2021 |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/ugandan-novelist-rukirabashaija-named-2021s-international-writer-courage-1282981 |access-date=2022-01-27 |website=www.thebookseller.com |first=Sian |last=Bayley |publisher=The Bookseller}}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-11 |title=Kakwenza Rukirabashaija named this year's International Writer of Courage |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/oct/11/kakwenza-rukirabashaija-named-this-years-international-writer-of-courage |access-date=2022-01-27 |website=The Guardian |language=en |first=Alison |last=Flood}}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-12 |title=Uganda's Kakwenza Rukirabashaija named International Writer of Courage |url=http://nilepost.co.ug/2021/10/12/ugandas-kakwenza-rukirabashaija-named-international-writer-of-courage/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=Nile Post |language=en-US |first=Kenneth |last= Kazibwe}}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-12 |title=Ugandan Novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija Named 2021 International Writer of Courage |url=https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/12/ugandan-novelist-kakwenza-rukirabashaija-named-2021-international-writer-of-courage/ |access-date=2022-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128161156/https://newscentral.africa/2021/10/12/ugandan-novelist-kakwenza-rukirabashaija-named-2021-international-writer-of-courage/ |archive-date=28 January 2022 |first=Abdulateef |last= Ahmed |website=News Central TV {{!}} Latest Breaking News Across Africa, Daily News in Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Egypt Today. |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Kakwenza Rukirabashaija: Ugandan Author named 2021 International Writer of Courage |url=https://www.gazetiapp.one/kakwenza-rukirabashaija-ugandan-author-named-2021-international-writer-of-courage-30107.html |access-date=2022-01-27 |website=Gazeti App |author=UGC|date=2021}}{{Cite web |last=Biryomumaisho |first=Sarah |title=Novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija awarded 2021 International Writer of Courage. He does not fear to write whatever comes in his mind and he is fond of using literature of to describe people. For example using words like Bumlicker to describe the first son Gen. Kainerugaba Muhoozi.– The UGPost |url=https://theugpost.com/index.php/2021/10/12/novelist-kakwenza-rukirabashaija-awarded-2021-international-writer-of-courage/ |date=12 October 2021|access-date=2022-01-27 |language=en-US}}
Early life and education
Kakwenza was born on 1 October 1988 in Rukungiri District, South Western Uganda. He studied at several primary schools in the same district. He attended Kyamakanda Secondary School, Makobore High School and Kigezi College Butobere for O'level. He later joined Muyenga High School in Kampala for A'level{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}. He graduated with a bachelor's degree of Laws from Cavendish University Uganda, degree in development studies from Kyambogo University, a master's degree in journalism from the University of Cape Town and a master of laws from Europa Universität Viadrina.{{Cite web |last=Jjingo |first=Ernest |title=Kakwenza Rukirabashaija: I am penning an erotic book |url=https://observer.ug/lifestyle/71876-kakwenza-rukirabashaija-i-am-penning-an-erotic-book |date=17 November 2021|access-date=2022-01-27|website=The Observer - Uganda |language=en-gb}}
Life
On 13 April 2020, Kakwenza was arrested by security operatives from his home in Iganga and detained for publishing his first book The Greedy Barbarian which they believed was about the person of President Yoweri Museveni.{{Cite web|title=Urgent Action: Activist Arrested for Criticizing the President (Uganda: UA 56.20)|url=https://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent-actions/urgent-action-activist-arrested-for-criticizing-the-president-uganda-ua-56-20/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Amnesty International USA|language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=International |first=P. E. N.|date=2020-10-02 |title=Uganda: drop all charges against Kakwenza… |url=https://www.pen-international.org/news/iavrflq3k8hl7xkdy3pzk5qa77a1i2?rq=rukirabashaija |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=PEN International |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Anyanwu|first=Faustina|title=Kakwenza Rukirabashaija: Ugandan Author Tortured For Criticising the Government In His Book.|url=https://www.chubmagazine.com/2020/07/22/kakwenza-rukirabashaija-ugandan-author-tortured-for-criticising-the-government-in-his-book/|date=July 22, 2020|access-date=2022-01-27|website=C.Hubmagazine|language=en-GB}}
He was arrested again on 18 September 2020 after writing another novel, narrating his ordeal in the hands of his captors. The book is titled Banana Republic: Where Writing is Treasonous.{{Cite web|title=Uganda: Freedom on the Net 2021 Country Report|url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/uganda/freedom-net/2021|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Freedom House|language=en}}
In February 2021, Kakwenza sued the Government of Uganda for the torture he suffered at the hands of Chieftancy of Military Intelligence (CMI) security operatives.{{Cite web |title=Author sues govt over torture |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/89077 |access-date=2022-01-27 |website=New Vision |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-02-01|title=Critical book writer, Kakwenza sues government over torture|url=http://nilepost.co.ug/2021/02/01/critical-book-writer-kakwenza-sues-government-over-torture/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Nile Post|language=en-US |first=Kenneth |last=Kazibwe}}
On 28 December 2021 Ugandan security forces arrested Kakwenza after he had insulted Muhoozi on Twitter calling him obese and ridiculed his military training.{{Cite news|title=Ugandan author arrested|work=BBC News|date=29 December 2021|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-59809822}}{{Cite news|title=Ugandan satirical novelist and prominent critic of president arrested|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uganda-politics-idINL1N2TD0V9|website=Reuters|date=28 December 2021}}{{Cite web|title=Tweet about Muhoozi|url=https://twitter.com/KakwenzaRukira/status/1475497247089598471|website=Twitter}} The arrest was condemned by opposition leader Bobi Wine and PEN International.{{Cite web|title=Bobi condemns arrest of writer Kakwenza|url=https://ekyooto.co.uk/2021/12/29/bobi-condemns-arrest-of-writer-kakwenza/|website=Ekyooto |first=Emmanuel |last=Busingye|date=29 December 2021}}{{Cite web|title=Immediately and unconditionally release novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija|date=30 December 2021|url=https://pen-international.org/news/uganda-immediately-and-unconditionally-release-novelist-kakwenza-rukirabashaija|website=pen-international.org |publisher=Pen International}}{{Cite news|date=2021-12-29|title=Ugandan author of The Greedy Barbarian detained - lawyer|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-59809822|access-date=2022-01-27}}{{Cite web|date=2022-01-09|title=PEN prize-winning Ugandan novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija illegally detained and tortured|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/09/pen-prize-winning-ugandan-novelist-kakwenza-rukirabashaija-illegally-detained-and-tortured|access-date=2022-01-27|website=The Guardian|language=en |first=Emma |last=Graham-Harrison}} On 4 January 2022, a Ugandan court called for his release.{{cite web |last1=Ross |first1=Will |title=Africa Live: Court orders release of Ugandan author |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-59830178?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=61d4681199991e76caa31504%26Court%20orders%20police%20to%20release%20Ugandan%20author%262022-01-04T16%3A44%3A52.416Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:a4f927b9-1f5b-4c54-bc17-7f60daba2dd4&pinned_post_asset_id=61d4681199991e76caa31504&pinned_post_type=share |website=BBC World Service|date=4 January 2022}} He was released for a brief home visit under armed guard that day. He showed visible signs of torture from the Ugandan police, including bloodstains on his clothing, which was removed by Kakwenza and kept by his wife. Pictures of his blood-stained clothing were uploaded to Twitter by Kiiza Eron, a Ugandan human rights lawyer.{{Cite web |last=JACINTO |first=Leela |date=2022-01-04 |title=Detained Ugandan satirical novelist displays signs of torture on brief home visit |url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20220104-detained-ugandan-satirical-novelist-displays-signs-of-torture-on-brief-home-visit |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=France 24 |language=en}} Although the Judicial courts had retained his passport asserting that the premises for his request to vacate the country were weak, Kakwenza fled Uganda to neighbouring Rwanda in February 2022 fearing for his life. He arrived in Germany on 24 February 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.ug/novelist-kakwenza-rukirabashaija-arrives-in-germany/ |title=Novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija arrives in Germany | date=24 February 2022 |website=independent.co.ug |publisher=The Independent}}
Awards
- 2021 PEN Pinter Prize International Writer of Courage.{{Cite web|title=Kakwenza named this year's International Writer of Courage {{!}} Uganda|url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kakwenza-named-this-year-s-international-writer-of-courage-3580756?view=htmlamp |date=12 October 2021|access-date=2022-01-27 |website=www.monitor.co.ug |author=Agencies |publisher=Nation Media Group}}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-11 |title=Kakwenza Rukirabashaija Is PEN's International Writer of Courage 2021 |url=https://opencountrymag.com/kakwenza-rukirabashaija-is-pens-international-writer-of-courage-2021/ |access-date=2022-01-27 |website=Open Country Mag|language=en-US |author=Otosirieze}}
- 2021 English PEN International Writer of Courage Award.{{Cite web |title=Kakwenza Rukirabashaija |url=https://oslofreedomforum.com/speaker/kakwenza-rukirabashaija/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Oslo Freedom Forum |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-13 |title=Kakwenza wins Shs185m prize for creative dissent |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kakwenza-wins-shs185m-prize-for-creative-dissent-4267988 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Monitor |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-23 |title=Defiant Ugandan novelist breaks silence with award |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/defiant-ugandan-novelist-breaks-silence-with-award-4281302 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=The East African |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-23 |title=Defiant Ugandan novelist breaks silence with award |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/defiant-ugandan-novelist-breaks-silence-with-award-4281302 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=The East African |language=en}}
- 2022 Nominee for Disturbing the Peace Award.{{Cite web |last=Serugo |first=Geoffery |date=2022-02-24 |title=PEN Centre welcomes Kakwenza in Germany |url=https://eagle.co.ug/2022/02/24/pen-centre-welcomes-kakwenza-in-germany/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Eagle Online |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Nabunjo |first=Aidah |date=2022-06-15 |title=Fatboy: Elites Believe In The Power Of Rhetoric Yet Change Is A Mindset Issue |url=https://www.rxradio.ug/post/fatboy-elites-believe-in-the-power-of-rhetoric-yet-change-is-a-mindset-issue |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=RX Radio |language=en}}
- 2023 Václav Havel International Prize for Creative Dissent: Nicaraguan political cartoonist by The Human Rights Foundation (HRF).{{Cite web |last=natalia.saucedo |date=2023-06-07 |title=Announcing the 2023 Havel Prize Laureates |url=https://hrf.org/announcing-the-2023-havel-prize-laureates/ |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=Human Rights Foundation |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-13 |title=Kakwenza wins Shs185m prize for creative dissent |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kakwenza-wins-shs185m-prize-for-creative-dissent-4267988 |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=Monitor |language=en}}
- 2019 Maria Moors Cabot Prize, awarded by Columbia University.
- 2019 recognition by the Americas Quarterly as one of its Top 5 Latin American political humorists.
Publications
- The Greedy Barbarian, self-published, 2020. theworldiswatching, 2023. ISBN 9783982513201.
- Banana Republic: Where Writing is Treasonous, Kisana Consults, [Uganda], 2020. ISBN 9789970743049.
- The Savage Avenger, theworldiswatching, 2023. ISBN 9783982513225 {{Cite web |last=Matogo |first=Philip |date=2022-10-19 |title=Kakwenza to release his third book, 'The Savage Avenger' |url=https://www.pulse.ug/news/politics/kakwenza-to-release-his-third-book-the-savage-avenger/65e8trl |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Pulse Uganda |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Savage Avenger by Kakwenza Rukirabashaija |url=https://kibangabooks.com/product/the-savage-avenger-by-kakwenza-rukirabashaija/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Kibanga Books |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{YouTube|id=ZMrDFNQBNck|title=EXCLUSIVE: How Novelist, Kakwenza Rukirabashaija Escaped from Uganda}}. Video duration 6m:49s. News Central TV, 25 March 2022. "Yesterday, we brought you an update on Ugandan Award-winning Author currently on the run - Kakwenza Rukira-bashaija after a Ugandan Court issued an arrest warrant for having fled the country." Accessed 14 April 2023.
- {{YouTube|id=Upe5TzZIFy0|title=The Hard Questions with Kakwenza Rukirabashaija {{!}} AIIJ}}. Video duration 53m:52s. AIIJ Channel, 8 February 2023. "Solomon Serwanjja speaks to Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, a famous novelist, play writer, filmmaker, activist, and lawyer in Uganda." Accessed 14 April 2023.
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