Mugabi Byenkya is an award-winning writer, editor, performer and rapper. An interdisciplinary artist he creates art across various mediums, namely: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, theatre & music. Mugabi was born in Nigeria, to Ugandan parents and is currently based in Kampala.
Mugabi’s writing is used to teach Secondary/High School English in Ugandan, Canadian and British schools. His writing and music has been published in Carte Blanche, Best Canadian Poetry, and Skin Deep, along with over 40 other international publications and anthologies. He has been interviewed on Voice of America, NTV Uganda, and Brittle Paper, along with over 100 other international media outlets. Mugabi has won multiple awards, grants, fellowships and residencies for his work from: MacDowell, The British Council and Unlimited, and PEN International; among over 20 others.
Mugabi’s full-length works are his award-nominated, Ugandan bestselling debut novel-memoir “Dear Philomena,” published in 2017 by the Canadian Publisher Discovering Diversity Publishing. His award-nominated, label bestselling debut mixtape “Songs For Wo(Men) 2” released in 2022 by the Independent American Record Label Hello America Stereo Cassette. And the prequel to “Songs For Wo(Men) 2” his publisher bestselling debut chapbook, released as the first of The Sheffield Chapbooks Series, “Songs For Wo(Men)” published by Gordon Hill Press & The Porcupine’s Quill in 2024.
Mugabi is an internationally touring vibrant performer at over 100 shows, in over 50 cities, across 7 countries, in North America, East Africa, and South East Asia namely: The U.S.A, Canada, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Cambodia.
Mugabi is also a writing, performance and interdisciplinary art workshop facilitator for participants ranging in age from 7 – 90 at universities, schools and institutions in North America, Asia and East Africa, namely: Bahrain, The U.S.A, Canada, Cambodia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Mugabi views art as a vessel of expression; and his mission to connect through his art and advocacy for all marginalized peoples.
Mugabi wants to be Jaden Smith when he grows up.
Contact Mugabi via email at: mugabibyenkya@gmail.com
Follow and contact Mugabi on social media via the links below.