Ngobi Kagayi: The man behind Kakwenza's books

The man behind this publishing house is the poet and Chief Executive Officer of Kitara Nation, Ngobi Kagayi.

Apart from promoting critics like Kakwenza, Kagayi has paid his dues to become the somewhat bare-knuckled poet that he has become today.

Kagayi performs Pulse Live Uganda

“I began writing and performing poetry in 2009 when I joined the Lantern Meet of Poets. While with The Meet, we had two Theatre shows which were ‘Fresh Coat of Paint’ and ‘Footprints of Verse.’ In 2010, I was de facto leader of the Lantern Meet of Poets and saved it from drowning when most members left. I also kept its poetry archives safe,” he says.

Kakwenza's "treasonous book" Pulse Live Uganda

In 2011, he began teaching and coaching poetry at Nabisunsa Girls School where he started a poetry club, The Rhymers. Out of this came performances such as “Words, Heartbeats and Neon Lights.”

Another of Kagayi's publications Pulse Live Uganda

Kagayi then staged and directed his first collaborative poetry show for Kings College Budo and Nabisunsa Girls School at the National Theatre as well as compiling, editing and publishing the first poetry anthology for Nabisunsa Girls School entitled, 'Gathering Grains of the Wind.’

“I left [then] the Lantern Meet of Poets and joined Writivism as Programs Coordinator and I curated the first 'Kagayi and Friends' poetry show. I then started and hosted the 'Poetry Shrine,’ a poetry platform that launched one-man/one-woman shows in Uganda,” he relates.

On the cusp of another performance Pulse Live Uganda

In 2016, he left Writivism and started the poetry company ‘Kitara Nation’ with four other friends. On top of this, he originated the first high schools’ poetry festival at Nabisunsa Girls School.

He then started publishing books under the Poetry Shrine.

After which, he collaborated with the independent Ugandan publishing house “Sooo Many Stories” to launch his first poetry collection and most famous work, 'The Headline That Morning and Other Poems.’

He published Bash Mutumba's book Pulse Live Uganda

He did not stop there, staging a one man show ‘The Audience Must Say Amen’ (performed twice at the Uganda National Theatre) and later featuring in the Kampala International Theatre Festival.

Then he launched his second poetry collection 'Yellow Pupu Poems', as well as his controversial theater production, 'Arrest the Poem.'

His third poetry collection 'For My Negativity’ added to this tidal wave of literary output. After this, he co-directed and acted in 'Romeo and Juliet in Kampala’, which was performed in both Germany and Kampala.

Again, he also self-produced and directed Kitara Nation's play, 'Bribe the Poem.'

Kagayi selling his many books Pulse Live Uganda

“I curated the first High Schools Theatre poetry event at the Uganda National Theatre….contributed to FEMRITE'S multilingual anthology ‘2020’…directed and acted in a play 'Balilwana’ (the neighbours) in Sweden and directed four plays with prisoners in Kirinya prison. I also helped to compile a poetry magazine for prisoners in Kirinya Prison,” he adds.

As a publisher to Kakwenza and many other writers and poets, Kagayi has a full plate ready to be served to the literature loving community.