“You Don’t Have to Be a Dead, Old English Man to Be a Writer”: Monica Arac de Nyeko in Conversation with Doreen Strauhs

Abstract

In conversation with Doreen Strauhs, Monica Arac de Nyeko talks about questions of identity and the power of creative writing. As the interview unfolds, she discusses the role of creative writers in present-day Uganda and the extent of their responsibility to engage in the socio-political arena. Commenting on recent developments in the literary landscapes of Uganda and Kenya, she underlines that the present upsurge in creative writing is not a literary revolution, but rather a reawakening of an ongoing dialogue between writers of different generations and society. She also comments on recent dynamics in the literary landscapes of Uganda and Kenya, as initiated by literary associations such as Kwani Trust (Nairobi) and Femrite (Kampala) and the impact of travel on her view of her identity as a Ugandan. The interview demonstrates her spontaneity and her refusal to be bound by stereotypes and conventions.