Poetry has thrived for centuries, spanning from the pre-colonial era to the present day. Local recitations, riddles, and folk songs have evolved into sophisticated literary works widely recognised for their excellence.

From Okot p'Bitek's Song of Lawino to Kagayi Ngobi's But She Wanted It, the poetry industry is captivating the younger generation and providing a platform for women's voices in the country.

In celebration of this year's International Women's Day, New Vision acknowledges the significant contributions of females in the poetry industry. Here is a list of notable female poets in Uganda, whose work is widely acclaimed:

Lillian Akampurira Aujo: Lillian Aujo, an author, won the Babishai Niwe (BN) Poetry Foundation's inaugural BN poetry prize in 2009. Her story Where Pumpkin Leaves Dwell earned her a longlisting for the Inaugural Jalada Prize for Literature in 2015.

Carolyne Afroetry: Born Carolyne Miriam Acen, Afroetry is an author, poet, spoken word artist, and women's rights activist. She is the founder of Echo Minds Poets.

Nunu Umuringa Butare: Nunu is a poet, fashion designer, and founder of Kwivuga Creations, organising the Kwivuga poetry sessions — a platform for poets in the country to express themselves.

Ber Harriet Anena: Anena, a Ugandan writer and poet, authored a collection of poems titled "A Nation In Labour," winning the 2018 Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa.

Susan Nalugwa Kiguli: Kiguli, a poet and literary scholar, is known for her 1998 collection The African Saga and has been an advocate for creative writing in Africa.

Mildred Kiconco Barya: A writer and poet, Barya was awarded the 2008 Pan African Literary Forum Prize for Africana Fiction. Her poetry collections include Men Love Chocolates But They Don't Say and The Price of Memory: After the Tsunami.

Maritza (Martha Byoga): Maritza, a popular media personality, spoken word artist, and poet, left her radio job to focus on poetry and spoken word.

Arao Ameny: Ameny, a writer, poet, and academic, gained recognition for her poem "Home Is a Woman," winning the Southern Review’s 2020 James Olney Award.

Gloria Kiconco:  Kiconco, a poet, journalist, and editor, has had her poetry published in Brittle Paper and Lawino. She has also contributed to Writivism, The Forager Magazine, and Doppiozero's Why Africa?

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva: Nsengiyunva, a writer, poet, actress, literary activist, and biographer, founded the Babishai Niwe (BN) Poetry Foundation.

Other renowned poets include Rehema Nanfuka, Mercy Geno Apachi, Stella Nyanzi, Roshan Kamali and Linda Nabaasa.