Patience Laker (centre) after she was announced winner of the East Africa Poetic Hour Battle (2024) in Kisumu, Kenya. PHOTO/COURTESY/ PHILIP MATOGO
Patience Laker, going by the stage name Laker, is arguably Uganda’s most technically gifted spoken word poet. A 28-year-old juggernaut, her artistry is deeply rooted in the experiences of womanhood, climate advocacy, mental health awareness, and the intricate beauty, as well as chaos of the human condition. In an interview with Saturday Monitor, Laker says the above-mentioned themes are central to her poetry, which she crafts and performs with melodic intensity and emotional honesty.
“My journey as a poet began in 2015, fresh out of high school, when I discovered the transformative power of words—how they could heal, provoke, question, and inspire. My performance style leans heavily on rhythm and melody, inspired by music and sound. With a voice capable of carrying a note and words layered with depth, I strive to make every performance an experience, not just a recital,” she discloses.
“My debut into Uganda’s spoken word scene came as a founding member of Katochi Poets, a poetry collective formed with passionate young voices. Our first performance—a sold-out showcase at the Uganda National Museum in 2016—was more than a show; it was a fundraiser to support sickle cell anaemia research and awareness. That night marked the beginning of my commitment to art as activism,” she adds.
Growing impact
From there, she threw herself into every performance opportunity she could find. Whether it was a packed venue or an intimate gathering, all she needed was an audience and sometimes not even a microphone. She graced open mics like Kelele @ Makerere, Open Mic UG, Ntebeza hosted by Anne Kansiime, Kwivuga, and Ladu Poetry Slams, among many others. As her work matured, so did the stages she performed on. She never abandoned the grassroots spaces that shaped her though, but gradually found herself stepping onto larger platforms.
“In 2018, I performed at the Kampala Geopolitics Conference, engaging an international audience on issues close to my heart. Between 2018 and 2019, I was featured in two seasons of Evoke Night, a dynamic fusion of art, music, and poetry sponsored by Tusker Lite and then later Club. Our journey took us from MTN Warehouse and Forest Mall to Jinja and Mbarara,” she recalls.
“In 2019, I made my theatrical debut at the National Theatre, playing the village chief in A Son for a Daughter, a powerful play written and directed by Lus the Poet and Marybud. One of the most affirming moments in my career came in 2022, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the IMARA Women’s Centre under FOWODE. My performance received a standing ovation and an invitation to Ms Winnie Byanyima’s Women’s Day celebration the following day—an honour that affirmed the social resonance of my work,” she adds.
In 2023, Laker joined the World Lion Day Celebration at the National Theatre, hosted by World Animal Protection Africa and Green Talk Art, a Kenyan-based Artivism organisation. That same year, she performed at the listening party for Once Upon a Time in Kampala, a theatrical podcast hosted by UK-based Ugandan artist George the Poet.
Laker was the winner of the Gender Equality Voices Competition (2023), hosted by Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU). She also won the East Africa Poetic Hour Battle (2024), held in Kisumu, Kenya. Following this win, she was invited to perform at FESTAC (Festival of African Arts and Culture), also held in Kisumu in August 2024—a landmark celebration of African creativity that she felt honoured to be a part of.
“Beyond performing, I’ve found joy in nurturing young voices. I’ve led poetry performance training in schools such as Aga Khan, equipping budding poets with the tools to find their voices and use them boldly,” she says. “My journey as a poet has also gained recognition beyond the stage. I’ve had the honour of being featured in several media platforms that spotlight African voices in literature and activism. In an interview with Shamsrumi, a platform that celebrates African poets, I shared my thoughts on identity, inspiration, and my creative process,” she adds.
The road ahead
Laker further discloses that “poetry has been my passport—opening doors, unlocking experiences, and connecting me with voices that shift conversations and challenge systems.” She adds: “As I look ahead, I intend to continue using my voice not just for art, but for advocacy. I plan to publish a collection of poems, curate creative writing workshops for young women, and possibly establish a mentorship space that amplifies underrepresented voices in Ugandan poetry.” She also notes thus: “Uganda’s poetry scene has grown immensely—from hushed circles in cafés to commanding stages and international platforms. It is a vibrant, daring, and necessary community. Yet, there’s more to be done.”
Build infrastructure
Laker also offers her two cents on building infrastructure, listing festivals, publishing opportunities, digital platforms, and funding on the to-do list that if propped up, help treat “poetry as a viable career path, not just a hobby or side hustle.” Many poets, Laker further notes, “are already shaping culture, mentoring youth, creating original content, and even influencing policy—yet the financial sustainability of this work remains uncertain. I want to see a future where poets can earn fairly from their craft, get paid to perform, tour, teach, write, and consult just like other professionals in the arts.” She concludes: “I believe in the evolution of poetry into a multidisciplinary force—blending with music, theatre, visual art, and digital storytelling. I dream of a time when poetry is part of policymaking spaces, healing circles, entertainment hubs, and innovation labs. Because poetry, at its core, is about the human experience—and that makes it both impactful and essential.”
