Femrite Holds A Students Creative Writing Workshop

Feb 16, 2003

STUDENTS must read widely, if they are to fulfil aspirations of becoming good writers.

By Gerald Businge
STUDENTS must read widely, if they are to fulfil aspirations of becoming good writers. This piece of advice was given by Prof. John Ruganda, at the end of a one-week youth camp for secondary school creative writers at the National Theatre, Kampala from January 22-28.
This year, The Uganda Women Writers’ Association’s (Femrite) in event for the literary week of activities, organised a youth creative writers workshop which was sponsored by the American Center.
The 40 students were chosen from among 70 students who responded to advertisements in the newspapers. The interactive workshop saw students practice writing poems, short stories and drama which they presented and critiqued. They were also trained on how they can apply oral literature which comprises of songs, proverbs, fables etc, to their stories.
The workshop was facilitated by Uganda’s leading creative writers. Ruganda, the guest of honour of the literary week, said writers are made and not born. He advised the students to start writing now, so that by the time they reach the publishing stage, their works are refined.
Ayeta Wangusa, a novelist and member of Femrite, who facilitated the workshop under the topic, the ‘Differences and similarities of the different genres of Literature,’ advised the students to read a variety of literary works, if they are to perfect their own writing.
Other presenters were Goretti Kyomuhendo (basic tools for writing), Patrick Mangeni (the function of dialogue in story writing), Laurence Ocen (Using oral literature forms in writing and Monica Arac de Nyeko. Guest speakers included Betty Kituyi, Joseph Mugasa, Doreen Baigana, Harry Sagara and Charles Mulekwa.
Hilda Twongeirwe, the rapporteur for the workshop said the students also benefited from an Internet training session at Kyambogo University. The ICT skills training session was initiated by Isingiro South MP, Johnson Nkuuhe and sponsored by Kyambogo University in conjunction with I-Network Uganda.
“This is the first time FEMRITE has invited students for such a writing skills workshop. But we always go to specific schools to read to them and inspire them to read and write,” Twongeirwe said.
Several student participants told Education Vision they had enjoyed the writing skills workshop and were returning home better writers. “Oh, I have learnt how to write, how to make my writings nice,” said Joyce Walayo an S.4 vacationist from Rubaga girls.

“It has been very helpful. I have learnt a lot especially the importance of oral literature in writing. I have come to like writing and I’m now motivated to go deeper and improve on my writing,” said Richard Aboko, an S.6 leaver from Luzira Secondary School. Ends

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