from the press

Publisher: FEMRITE

Available at: Leading bookshops

Price: sh10,000

Reviewed by: Joshua Masinde

A WOMAN'S Voice is a compelling anthology of 12 short stories written by Ugandan women. The stories are drawn from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds of the Ugandan society. This reflects a rich diversity of themes and messages which, in a way, inspired their authorship.

“Women are natural storytellers; Goretti Kyomuhendo once said, A Woman’s Voice confirms her confession.

The opening story, Looking For My Mother by Lilian Tindyebwa explores pertinent issues of child abuse, neglect and survival.

Rebecca Kazungu confesses having been sexually abused at the age of 15 by her aunt’s husband when she was taken to stay with them. In a flashback, Kazungu admits dumping her child, later named Musa, into a pit latrine but he does not die.

This inhuman act becomes the centre of mockery from Musa’s friends at school.

Mad Apio is a light-hearted story that captures the absurdities and injustices in life, directed at women.

Apio undergoes turbulent times, both at university, from where she is expelled for leading a strike and outside, where her ‘insane’ husband dies.

To stop the in-laws from taking all the inheritance from her, Apio appears naked before them, something which is a taboo in their culture. The father-in-law faints.

Joanitta’s Nightmare is a story penned by Hope Keshubi. Joanitta, a young, innocent, bright school girl gets pregnant after a first love encounter with Jackson, a school boy.

The two meet at a drama festival. They are the victims of love at first-sight and infatuation.

The editor of the book, Violet Barungi, pens The Last One To Know. The story is a typical case of struggle, endurance, women emancipation and frustration.

Becoming A Woman by Hilda Twongyeirwe is a story of transition from childhood to adulthood, and the fears that little girls live with.

The short story collection makes an interesting reading that will leave the reader inspired.