Mugabi Byenkya is an award-winning writer, editor, performer and rapper. He writes and performs across various mediums, namely: prose, poetry, comics, essays, drama & songs. Mugabi was born in Nigeria, to Ugandan parents and is currently based in Kampala.

Mugabi’s writing is used to teach Secondary/High School English in Ugandan, Canadian and British schools. His writing and music has been published in Carte Blanche, Best Canadian Poetry, and Skin Deep, along with over 40 other international publications and anthologies. He has been interviewed on Voice of America, NTV Uganda, and Brittle Paper, along with over 100 other international media outlets.

In 2015: Mugabi was longlisted for the Babishai Niwe Poetry Award.

In 2017: he won the Discovering Diversity Poetry Contest; his award-nominated debut novel-memoir, ‘Dear Philomena,’ was published via the independent Canadian publisher Discovering Diversity Publishing; and he went on a 3 year, 90 show, 45 city, 5 country North America/East Africa tour in support of this.

In 2018: Mugabi was awarded as one of 56 writers who has contributed to his native Uganda’s literary heritage in the 56 years since independence by Writivism; and Dear Philomena, was named a Ugandan bestseller.

In 2019: Mugabi was selected as one of ten emerging theater artists in b current Performing Arts Emerging Artists Ensemble 2019/2020; he was named as one of three finalists for Realwheels Playwright-In-Residence and the recipient of an inaugural Realwheels Encouragement Award.

In 2020: Mugabi’s poem “If I Die Bury Me Next To My Father” was selected by Marilyn Dumont to be anthologized in “Best Canadian Poetry 2020” published by Biblioasis; and his debut novel-memoir ‘Dear Philomena,’ was nominated for the 2020 Nommo Awards For Speculative Fiction By Africans.

In 2022: Mugabi was shortlisted as one of three finalists for the 26 Emerging Writers Award and received a highly commended award; and on the penultimate day of 2022, Mugabi released his award-nominated, label bestselling debut mixtape “Songs For Wo(Men) 2” via the independent American record label Hello America Stereo Cassette.

In 2023: Mugabi was shortlisted as one of three finalists for the Inclusive Africa Icon Award 2023, as well as being selected as a panelist for the Inclusive Africa Conference 2023; he received a fellowship to attend the Sundress Academy For The Arts 2nd Annual Writers Retreat; additionally, Mugabi was nominated for 2 Ugandan Hip-Hop Awards; namely: “Western Rapper of The Year” for “Philomena’s Voicemail #2” and “Mixtape of The Year” for “Songs For Wo(Men) 2” his debut mixtape; in support of his debut mixtape Mugabi has been interviewed on award-winning blogs, podcasts, newspapers, radio and TV; and performed at several concerts in Kampala to audiences of over 150 people; moreover, Mugabi was selected as an auditor for the Poets and Scholars Summer Writing Retreat 2023 by Rutgers University Institute for the Study of Global Racial Justice.

In 2024: Mugabi was selected as the Guest Author at The North Green School’s Yearly Book Week; he was selected as Panelist for The Association of Writers & Writing Programs Annual Conference and Book Fair 2024 (AWP) in Kansas City (one of the largest and most prestigious writers conferences in the United States). The two panels he served on were: “Pathways to Publishing for Indie Authors of Color” and “A Turn of the Page: From Journalism to Creative Writing” ; Mugabi’s debut chapbook “Songs For Wo(Men)” (the prequel to “Songs For Wo(Men) 2”) was published as the first in the Sheffield Chapbooks Series, an imprint of the award-winning Canadian publisher Gordon Hill Press; he was jointly awarded alongside Lilac Yosiphon and John Rwothomack an Unlimited British Council Micro Award. These awards, funded by British Council, aim to forge connections between disabled artists in the UK and disabled artists overseas through a collaborative project. Selected by Unlimited’s disabled-led panel, Lilac, John and Mugabi are among seven pairs/trios of disabled artists who will receive micro commissions of £3000 to explore and develop their creative practice; Mugabi was named as one of five recipients of the The Sundress Academy for the Arts Fall 2024 Residency Fellowships, he was also awarded a support grant to facilitate this residency; he was awarded a MacDowell Fellowship Residency;

Mugabi wants to be Jaden Smith when he grows up. 

Contact Mugabi via email at: mugabibyenkya@gmail.com