By Staff Writer
Kampala, Uganda: 23 December 2025 –
The Uganda Poetry Society (UPS) has delivered a major win for East African arts and culture with the launch of the Dr. Ivan Edwards Poetry Award — now valued at $1,200 USD, with $1,000 dedicated to adults and $200 reserved for youth under 18. More than just the region’s largest poetry prize, this award represents a bold and refreshing commitment to elevating Ugandan voices and nurturing homegrown literary excellence.
Prestige in the literary world is never earned by money alone. It grows from the stature of the honoree, the integrity of the judges, the strength of the institution, and the cultural resonance of the prize. On every one of these pillars, UPS has excelled.
Honoree: Dr. Ivan Edwards:
Dr. Ivan Edwards, a Ugandan-born American physician, USAF Reserve Flight Surgeon (a Lt Colonel), minister, and award-winning poet, embodies the brilliance and versatility that define Uganda’s global talent. His polymathic achievements are celebratory, making him an inspiring figure to anchor a national award. His story signals to young Ugandans that excellence rooted in Uganda can shine anywhere in the world.
Judges: A Formidable Panel of Thinkers
UPS has assembled a judging panel that reflects intellectual depth and artistic diversity. It includes Dr. Stella Nyanzi, a celebrated scholar and poet; Jesse Unoh, a gifted storyteller; Dr. Ampat Varghese Koshy, a respected critic and educator; and Joanita Atuhaire, a poet exploring the frontier of creativity and AI. Ex officio judges Philip Matogo, a seasoned columnist, and Alex White, PhD, a Cambridge historian, add further credibility. This is a panel built not just for prestige, but for fairness, rigor, and cultural insight.
Patron: Prof. Timothy Wangusa:
With Prof. Timothy Wangusa — poet, novelist, academic, and former cabinet minister — serving as patron, the award is firmly anchored in Uganda’s literary heritage. His involvement signals continuity, seriousness, and a commitment to nurturing Uganda’s next generation of literary giants.
Why This Moment Matters:
In a world where many institutions look outward for validation, UPS, a collective of poets who choose creative cooperation over destructive competition, has chosen yet a different path, one that celebrates Uganda’s own creative power. By investing in local poets, the Society is strengthening cultural identity, inspiring national pride, and ensuring that Uganda’s literary future is shaped by Ugandan voices. UPS, per their mantra, is about people, purpose, and poetic unity.
“This award is more than a prize. It is a statement: Uganda’s stories matter, and Uganda will be the one to elevate them”
Conclusion:
With the launch of the Dr. Ivan Edwards Poetry Award, the Uganda Poetry Society has not only introduced the region’s most significant poetry prize; it has set a new standard for cultural leadership. By honoring its own and building a legacy rooted in national pride, UPS has created a beacon for East African literature and a model for the continent to follow.
