Ugandan Activist Sam Mugumya Launches Powerful Poetry Collection at Nairobi’s Freedom Café
“These poems were conceived in the bowels of hell,” he said.
Renowned Ugandan poet and activist Sam Mugumya launches his poetry collection 'We Refuse to Be Victims' at the Freedom Café, hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Kenya. The event brought together writers, artists, and human rights advocates to celebrate the power of literature in resistance and democracy
By Robert Wanjala Kituyi
University of York (CAHR), 2023/24 Fellow
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Kenya hosted a special edition of the Freedom Café at its Nairobi offices, marking the launch of “We Refuse to Be Victims,” a compelling poetry collection by renowned Ugandan poet and activist Sam Mugumya. The event underscored the power of art in resistance and the fight for democracy.
Mugumya’s collection, written during his eight-year imprisonment at Prison Militaire de Ndolo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, captures themes of injustice, resilience, and the unyielding pursuit of freedom. His work stands as a testament to survival under political repression, having been written in defiance of both the Ugandan and DRC governments.
Kenyan politician and human rights advocate Martha Karua, the event’s keynote speaker, praised Mugumya’s poetry as an extension of Africa’s long tradition of using art to resist oppression. She compared his verses to the oral traditions and freedom songs that have shaped the continent’s history.
“This is not just a book launch—it is a celebration of a legacy,” Karua stated. “Mugumya’s words will resonate globally, wherever people fight for dignity and freedom.”
Mugumya’s journey has been one of endurance. His first poetry collection was destroyed during his imprisonment, making this second publication even more significant. Karua noted that his poetry was not just a means of survival but a powerful statement of defiance against repression.
“In the face of despair, Mugumya chose hope. His poetry kept him alive, focused, and unbroken—a testament to the indomitable human spirit,” she said.
Joining remotely from an undisclosed location due to security concerns, Mugumya recounted his experiences of political persecution and the challenges he faced in writing behind bars. He described his poetry as a weapon against authoritarian rule and a voice for those who have been silenced.
“These poems were conceived in the bowels of hell,” he said. “It is illegal to write in prison, but my journey has been one of speaking truth to power, no matter the cost.”
He emphasized that true change will not come from the ruling elite but from ordinary people taking action. “At the end of the day, it’s us—the downtrodden, the masses—who must build the future we want to see. Taking part in a revolution is an act of love, for yourself, your neighbor, for humanity.”
Mugumya also revealed how he covertly wrote his poems while incarcerated. “I wrote the poems in the depths of hell when I was jailed. I managed to publish the collection upon my release.”
The event highlighted the historical role of art in movements for justice and democracy. FNF Project Director Stefan Scott emphasized that artists have long been at the forefront of social change, shaping public discourse and challenging authoritarian rule.
“I have been dreaming of an event with artists for a very long time,” Scott said. “Artists—whether authors, musicians, painters, or illustrators—are the real liberal minds in society.”
He noted that artists have a unique ability to sense societal change and bring attention to human rights violations. “They sense earlier and more precisely how society is shifting and where human values are being violated.”
Scott praised Mugumya’s collection for transforming his experiences of violence and oppression into a powerful body of work. “Sam has used his poetry to spark crucial conversations about freedom and justice.”
The event took place amid increasing repression in East Africa, including state-sponsored abductions and crackdowns on activists. Karua pointed to incidents such as the violent arrest of 36 Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) members in Kisumu last year, the abduction of Dr. Kizza Besigye’s aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale, and flawed government policies such as Kenya’s Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the revised education-funding model.
“These are some of the injustices we face today,” she said. “The fear within us often stops us from speaking out, but Mugumya’s work reminds us that silence is not an option.”
Karua stressed that the fight for liberation is no longer confined to one country and that East Africans must recognize their shared struggles. “The fight for liberation is within our neighborhoods, across our region, and in every country where repression is rising.”
She linked regional oppression to broader democratic backsliding, warning that the abductions of Ugandan activists in Nairobi and the targeting of Turkish and Ethiopian refugees point to a dangerous pattern. “Oppression in one nation fuels suffering in another. What we do here in Kenya can inspire or discourage others elsewhere.”
She also referenced Kenya’s recent Gen Z-led protests, which gained global attention, as proof of ongoing resistance to oppression. “Let us not lose that momentum of demanding transparency and accountability. Liberation must be grounded in shared values, and Kenya’s Constitution—especially Article 10—must remain our guiding principle.”
The Freedom Café event, part of FNF Kenya’s Up4Democracy campaign, brought together over 100 writers, poets, artists, and activists. Highlights included a live poetry reading by seasoned actor Raymond Ofula and performances by local poets and artists.
The Freedom Café is an initiative of FNF Kenya, providing a safe space for dialogue on liberal democracy, governance, and human rights. It fosters open discussions rather than imposing viewpoints, encouraging the free exchange of ideas among intellectuals, policymakers, civil society, and the public. The event reinforced the importance of freedom of expression in the fight for democracy, with Mugumya’s poetry standing as a reminder that art is not just a form of expression, but a powerful force for resistance.
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