Claims top spoken word prize, takes helm of Uganda poetry society
Atim Priscilla Ariance, a second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Education at Makerere University, has won the inaugural Dr. Ivan Edwards Poetry Award for Spoken Word, emerging as one of the country’s rising literary talents.
The award was presented during a ceremony held on March 28, 2026, at Backyard Bistro in Bugolobi, where Uganda’s literary community gathered to launch the national poetry award aimed at recognizing excellence in poetry and spoken word performance.
Atim received the top Spoken Word honor and a cash prize of US$500 after her performance impressed judges and attracted public support in a competition that combined written poetry with recorded recitations.
“I was so excited because this is the very first award I have received,” Atim said in an interview following the ceremony. “Based on the fact that it’s on poetry, something that I love, I really feel honored.”
New award seeks to elevate Ugandan poetry
Established by the Uganda Poetry Society, the Dr. Ivan Edwards Poetry Award was created to promote poetry as a respected national art form, celebrate both emerging and established writers, and strengthen Uganda’s literary ecosystem.
Named after Dr. Ivan Edwards, whose contributions to literature and public service continue to inspire many, the award recognizes excellence in four categories: Spoken Word, Written Word, Youth Spoken Word, and Youth Written Word.
This year’s winners shared a combined prize pool of US$1,200.
Other laureates included Lus Aziz Al’Fadhul, who won the Written Word category and received US$500, while Gumbadia La Joie and Praise Nowangye each received US$100 for the Youth Spoken Word and Youth Written Word categories respectively.
Winning poem celebrates African unity
Atim’s award-winning poem focused on the theme of unity and Pan-Africanism, drawing inspiration from African history, leadership, and regional cooperation.
The poem referenced influential African figures including Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere and Apollo Milton Obote, while highlighting the spirit of cooperation that contributed to the establishment of institutions such as Makerere University.
“I love Africa. Pan-Africanism, I love it,” she said, explaining the inspiration behind the work.
The young poet said she sought to demonstrate how unity has shaped African societies historically and continues to influence contemporary responses to shared challenges.
Award sparks new opportunities
Beyond the financial reward, Atim said the recognition has strengthened her confidence as a writer and performer.
The prize money, she noted, will partly support her future literary projects and publication efforts.
“It is reigniting the fire in me,” she said. “At this point, when I look at this award, I believe that now I can contest for any poetry award and win it because there is a foundation that has already been set.”
The recognition also boosted her standing within Uganda’s literary community. Shortly after winning the award, Atim successfully contested for the presidency of the Uganda Poetry Society, succeeding outgoing president Philip Matogo.
She attributed her election in part to the credibility and visibility gained through the award.
Poetry as a tool for change
Atim described poetry as more than artistic expression, saying it serves as a platform for inspiration, social criticism and transformation.
“Poetry means inspiration, it means change, it means life,” she said. “As a poet, I have the power to tell someone that what they’re doing is wrong, to criticize what is ill and also inspire somebody.”
She encouraged young people to pursue their creative talents with determination and consistency.
“If you can write, write,” she advised. “Love what you’re doing, believe in it and work towards it.”
Originally from Lira City in northern Uganda, Atim has nurtured her passion for writing from an early age. She joined the Makerere Literature Association (LITAS), through which she became connected to the Uganda Poetry Society and eventually learned about the competition.
Leadership transition marks new chapter
The awards ceremony also marked a significant transition within the Uganda Poetry Society as outgoing President Philip Matogo formally handed over leadership to Atim.
Matogo described the launch of the award and the leadership transition as the beginning of a lasting cultural tradition aimed at nurturing Uganda’s literary talent.
He also announced plans to publish an anthology featuring selected works submitted for the 2026 competition, creating a permanent record of the country’s emerging poetic voices.
The anthology is expected to support the Society’s broader mission of preserving Uganda’s literary heritage while creating opportunities for young writers and performers.
For Atim, whose first national literary award coincided with her birthday, the recognition represents both a personal milestone and the beginning of a larger journey in Uganda’s growing poetry landscape.
“This is just the beginning,” she said.
By Jane Anyango, Peninah Nalubega and Andrew Twahirwa