Age has nothing to do with it

Robert Muwereza may still be a student at Kyambogo University, but the author has a number of titles to his name. Besides writing short stories, Muwereza also writes drama scripts. His dream is to work in the film industry. He talked to Bamuturaki Musinguzi

When did you start writing? And what motivated you?
I was 11 years. I used to write and send stories to newspapers that had children’s sections. When I was in Senior One at City High School, we used to read literature books. The book, African Child by Camara Laye turned my mind around. The idea of writing a book was born. One year later, I wrote a story about the life of a poor African child titled The Wounded Soul most of which was my life experience growing up in a very poor family.

How do manage to combine writing and poetry and from which do you derive the most pleasure?
The art of writing is God-given. Poetry is circumstantial. Sometimes, it is out of emotions that I write. Sometimes, I cry while writing poems, sometimes I smile. Any poet will tell you that poetry is from the heart. And the best poem is that which you write out of emotions, not thinking. Most of my books are fiction. Poetry and writing are linked. Each enhances the other.

Do you plan to venture into writing long stories in future?
Yes, I do. Writing long stories is a stage I have just reached. I am currently working on a novel that I hope will have over 300 pages.

You seem to tackle a number of topics in your works? Do you intend to specialise as you gain experience?
No, at the moment, I am looking at being Robert Muwereza the author. I want to be the best I can be and I am doing a lot from which probably I will find what will make me the best .
What hurdles have you encountered as a young writer?
The biggest one is people undermining me and do not believe a young man like me, a student, can write a good story. Worst of all, my own family does not believe in me. They do not see sense in this “business of novels”. Actually ,that is why I am doing Statistics and Economics at Kyambogo University after which, I will take on literature or join a movie academy in California, USA. The second challenge is being discouraged by people, even my close friends. Publicity and technical support is another challenge.

Ugandans have a poor culture of reading. How should they be encouraged to read more?
Many people in Uganda are poor and troubled, too entangled and stressed that they cannot concentrate to read a story and finish it. One should start by reading one page of anything before them, someday they will read 100 pages. I am working with some people to put up a literature festival majorly to encourage and uplift the reading culture in Uganda.

What is your advice to young aspiring writers?
Writing and publishing is possible. Writing can change your life and future. You can turn those thoughts, ideas and stories into a novel the world may like.

You have released a number of short novels, what is your best?
My favourite book is Anna Banana. With that book, I feel a success managing to surface in the life of Anna, an American who falls in love with a young Ugandan man who is a king to be. The world around them turns into a bitter one. Their journey of life is marked by the will to live, the courage to survive and the power to love. One thing, like any artist, we have a saying “The next work is the best one”.

How would you gauge the Ugandan book industry and novels in particular?
In Uganda, we have a very poor book Industry where writing is given less attention. My first book was not received well in Uganda. That is why I actually took on the foreign market, so I am not known here. We have a lot of talented authors and some have died with untold stories because of the poor structure of the Ugandan book Industry.
Few publishing houses will accept a fiction manuscript, but will gladly welcome textbook manuscripts. I am lucky to have my books published in America.