Alumni Interview: Mugabi Byenkya
Class of 2010 | Years at ISPP 2001 – 2005
I am an award-winning writer, editor, performer, rapper and interdisciplinary artist. Currently based in Kampala, Uganda, where I work as a business manager for an apartment complex. I wear many hats and also act as my own manager, publicist and booking agent for my artistic career. My artistic practice exists across nonfiction, fiction, poetry, comics, theatre and music. My writing is used to teach High School English in Uganda, Canada and the UK.
I have received residencies, fellowships, grants and awards from: Writivism; Realwheels Theatre; Unlimited and The British Council; The Goethe-Institut; and MacDowell, among others.
Currently, I’m back in Cambodia for the first time since my family left in 2005. It’s surreal being back and seeing how much has changed. It took me two weeks to settle in and accept Cambodia as it is now, rather than what it was in my memory. It’s changed so much I don’t recognise it anymore, and I have had to learn the new city and country. I’ve been enjoying: spending time with my brother Victor who works at ISPP; reconnecting with my friends from ISPP who are in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap; exploring Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Battambang; performing at my first ever show in Cambodia which was the homecoming and welcome back I didn’t know I needed; eating all the Khmer food I missed; attending an ISPP Alumni reunion for the first time ever, meeting ISPP Alumni from after my time in ISPP, finally being able to participate in something I’d only seen in pictures, and having great conversations with those I shared time with ISPP and those I didn’t; finally meeting Neb [ISPP Alumni Relations Officer] in-person after exchanging emails for the past 7 years; visiting the ISPP new campus and facilitating two expansive writing workshops with Grade 6 which was so much fun; being interviewed by The Grapevine (ISPP’s student podcast and newspaper); participating in The Alumni Café and being blown away by the students insight; touring the school and seeing the spectacular Black Box Theatre in particular, as well as meeting all of Victor’s friends on ISPP staff who I’d heard so much about.
I’m off to the US for two artist residencies after five weeks in Cambodia, and this trip has been everything I wanted, needed and more. Cambodia has changed, ISPP has changed, my friends have changed, but it will always be home.
My full-length works are:
“Dear Philomena,” published by Discovering Diversity Publishing in 2017. My award-nominated, Ugandan bestselling debut novel-memoir.
“Songs For Wo(Men) 2” released by Hello America Stereo Cassette in 2022. My award-nominated, label-best-selling debut mixtape.
“Songs For Wo(Men)”, published by The Sheffield Chapbooks, an imprint of Gordon Hill Press in 2024. My debut chapbook.
In addition to my full-length works, I have work published in Carte Blanche, Best Canadian Poetry and Skin Deep, along with over 40 other international publications and anthologies. I have been interviewed on Voice of America, NTV Uganda, and Brittle Paper, along with over 100 other international media outlets. I tour extensively, performing across over 50 cities, in six countries, on three continents. I am also a writing and performance workshop facilitator for students ranging in age from 7 – 65 at universities, schools and institutions.
This interview was first published in the ISPP Pulse Magazine (November 2024 – January 2025).
More “Where Are They Now?” interviews:
- Clara Kim (2012 – 2014)
- Victor Byenkya (2001 – 2005)
- Joseph Surivong (2002 – 2014)
- Visakha Som (1991 – 1996)
- Yoobin Kim (2012 – 2015)
- Gaurav Raul (2005 – 2007)
- Meghan McMurray (2015 – 2017)
- Enya Pangilinan (2009 – 2012)
- Vimuolea Hang (2006 – 2013)
- Frank van Zoggel (1991 – 1993)
- Sharlynn Ng (2005 – 2010)
- Brian Webster (2002 – 2016)
- Thida Leiper (1991 – 2005)
- Luca Fleschler, Fraya Fleschler, Ximena Herrera (2011 – 2017)
- Dany, Soriya and Kalyane Warren (1996 – 2001)
- Nadia Fernando (1999 – 2015)
- Lotta Urban (1998 – 1999)
- Sreyneath Poole (2000 – 2005)
