Ayeta Anne Wangusa
Encyclopedia
Ayeta Anne Wangusa, born in Kampala
, Uganda
, on 9 September 1971, is a writer and activist.
A founding member (1995) of FEMRITE
, the Uganda Women Writers Association, Wangusa first achieved broader recognition in literary circles for her novel Memoirs of a Mother (1998). Wangusa was also a founding member (2009) of African Writers Trust
, for which she currently (2011) serves on the advisory board.
In addition to her literary career, including Tears of Hope: A Collection of Short Stories by Ugandan Rural Women (2002) that she edited with Violet Barungi
, Wangusa has had a parallel career in social development, governance, and women’s rights.
] in Tanzania
as Governance Advisor (Media) for the Public Accountability Tanzania Initiative. Previously, she worked with SNV - Netherlands Development Organization
in Tanzania as Civil Society Strengthening advisor, July 2006 –July 2009.
From October 2004-March 2006, Wangusa served as Project Officer Development and Implementation, Open Knowledge Network, with the African Medical and Research Foundation
(AMREF) in Tanzania.
From December 1996—December 2003, Wangusa worked with The New Vision Printing and Publishing Corporation, Uganda, as a Features Sub-Editor, and in August – December 1996, she served Books Editor with Fountain Publishers Ltd, Uganda.
Wangusa was selected by New Partnership for Africa's Development
(NEPAD) to be part of the expert pool on Capacity Development and Knowledge Exchange, July 2011.
In 2005, Wangusa was a Representative of Women Writers to the PEN
Uganda Chapter.
In Sept-Oct 2003, Wangusa participated in the Cheltenham Literature Festival
in the UK as part of the Across Continents Project.
Also in 2003, Wangusa served as a Judge for the prestigious Commonwealth Writers Prize (African Region), sponsored by the Commonwealth Foundation
along with Prof. Mary Kolawole of Nigeria and Prof. Andres Oliphant of South Africa.
During August–October 1998, Wangusa participated in the prestigious International Writers Program, University of Iowa
, and was awarded Honorary Fellow in Writing of the University of Iowa.
In June 2002, Wangusa served as deputy Chief Rapporteur for the 8th International Inter-disciplinary Congress on Women in Kampala, Uganda.
In March 2002, Wangusa served as a Judge for a national essay competition organised by the American Centre (Uganda) to commemorate the African American History month.
Wangusa has also served on the steering committee of Women Writing Africa, Eastern Africa project of the Feminist Press (New York, USA).
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, on 9 September 1971, is a writer and activist.
A founding member (1995) of FEMRITE
Femrite
FEMRITE - Uganda Women Writers' Association is an NGO based in Kampala, Uganda, whose programs focus on developing and publishing women writers in Uganda and—more recently—in the East African region...
, the Uganda Women Writers Association, Wangusa first achieved broader recognition in literary circles for her novel Memoirs of a Mother (1998). Wangusa was also a founding member (2009) of African Writers Trust
African Writers Trust
African Writers Trust was established in 2009 as "a non-profit entity which seeks to coordinate and bring together African writers in the Diaspora and writers on the continent to promote sharing of skills and other resources, and to foster knowledge and learning between the two groups."The current...
, for which she currently (2011) serves on the advisory board.
In addition to her literary career, including Tears of Hope: A Collection of Short Stories by Ugandan Rural Women (2002) that she edited with Violet Barungi
Violet Barungi
Violet Barungi is a novelist and writer from Uganda, well-known in East African literary circles both for her own writing and her prolific career as the Editor for FEMRITE - Uganda Women Writers’ Association.-Career as a solo author :...
, Wangusa has had a parallel career in social development, governance, and women’s rights.
Professional Activities
Since July 2009, Wangusa has worked with http://www.snvworld.org/SNV - Netherlands Development OrganizationSNV Netherlands Development Organisation
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is a non-profit, international development organisation, established in the Netherlands in 1965.SNV aims to alleviate poverty by enabling increased income and employment opportunities and increasing access to basic services...
] in Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
as Governance Advisor (Media) for the Public Accountability Tanzania Initiative. Previously, she worked with SNV - Netherlands Development Organization
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is a non-profit, international development organisation, established in the Netherlands in 1965.SNV aims to alleviate poverty by enabling increased income and employment opportunities and increasing access to basic services...
in Tanzania as Civil Society Strengthening advisor, July 2006 –July 2009.
From October 2004-March 2006, Wangusa served as Project Officer Development and Implementation, Open Knowledge Network, with the African Medical and Research Foundation
African Medical and Research Foundation
The African Medical and Research Foundation was founded in 1957, by three surgeons as the Flying Doctors Service of East Africa. Three doctors – Sir Michael Wood, Archibald McIndoe and Tom Rees – drew up a groundbreaking plan to provide medical assistance to remote regions of East Africa, where...
(AMREF) in Tanzania.
From December 1996—December 2003, Wangusa worked with The New Vision Printing and Publishing Corporation, Uganda, as a Features Sub-Editor, and in August – December 1996, she served Books Editor with Fountain Publishers Ltd, Uganda.
Honors, Appointments,and Awards
From 2009-2011, Wangusa has served as Coordinator of the Gender and Women’s Rights Workshop of the Commonwealth Peoples’ Forum, Perth, Australia, 2011, and Commonwealth Civil Society Advisory Committee Member (CSAC), representing East African region.Wangusa was selected by New Partnership for Africa's Development
New Partnership for Africa's Development
The New Partnership for Africa's Development is an economic development program of the African Union. NEPAD was adopted at the 37th session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in July 2001 in Lusaka, Zambia...
(NEPAD) to be part of the expert pool on Capacity Development and Knowledge Exchange, July 2011.
In 2005, Wangusa was a Representative of Women Writers to the PEN
International PEN
PEN International , the worldwide association of writers, was founded in London in 1921 to promote friendship and intellectual co-operation among writers everywhere....
Uganda Chapter.
In Sept-Oct 2003, Wangusa participated in the Cheltenham Literature Festival
Cheltenham Literature Festival
The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, a large-scale international festival of literature in the Spa town of Cheltenham, and part of Cheltenham Festivals: also responsible for the Jazz, Music and Science Festivals that run every year....
in the UK as part of the Across Continents Project.
Also in 2003, Wangusa served as a Judge for the prestigious Commonwealth Writers Prize (African Region), sponsored by the Commonwealth Foundation
Commonwealth Foundation
The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation that was established by the Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1965, the same year as its sister organisation, the Commonwealth Secretariat...
along with Prof. Mary Kolawole of Nigeria and Prof. Andres Oliphant of South Africa.
During August–October 1998, Wangusa participated in the prestigious International Writers Program, University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, and was awarded Honorary Fellow in Writing of the University of Iowa.
In June 2002, Wangusa served as deputy Chief Rapporteur for the 8th International Inter-disciplinary Congress on Women in Kampala, Uganda.
In March 2002, Wangusa served as a Judge for a national essay competition organised by the American Centre (Uganda) to commemorate the African American History month.
Wangusa has also served on the steering committee of Women Writing Africa, Eastern Africa project of the Feminist Press (New York, USA).
Education
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons) - Literature And Sociology, Makerere UniversityMakerere UniversityMakerere University , Uganda's largest and second-oldest higher institution of learning, , was first established as a technical school in 1922. In 1963 it became the University of East Africa, offering courses leading to general degrees from the University of London...
, 1990-1993. - Masters of Arts in Literature, Makerere University 1994-1997.
- Masters of Arts in New Media, Governance and Democracy, University of LeicesterUniversity of LeicesterThe University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
, UK, 2009-2011.