An exiled Ugandan writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who claims to have been tortured for his writing, has affirmed his unwavering commitment to continue writing, stating that he will persist until his “last breath,” in an interview with the BBC’s Focus on Africa.
Despite the threats he faces, the 35-year-old writer expressed his desire to return home. He emphasized that his primary goal is to contribute to making Uganda a better place. Writing has served as a coping mechanism for him in the face of pain and adversity.
Rukirabashaija gained recognition for his satirical novel, “The Greedy Barbarian,” which exposes high-level corruption in a fictional country. His book “Banana Republic: Where Writing is Treasonous” recounts the alleged torture he endured while in detention in 2020.
After the publication of his second book, which enraged the authorities, Rukirabashaija was arrested again in 2021. Both of his novels were seen as direct criticisms of President Yoweri Museveni, who has held power in Uganda since 1986.
Following his online ridicule of President Museveni’s son, Muhoozi, Rukirabashaija was detained once more. Eventually, his passport was confiscated, but he managed to escape through a covert route and sought refuge in Europe in 2022.
Rukirabashaija’s decision to leave was primarily influenced by the advice of several medical professionals who recommended urgent medical treatment abroad.
Suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, he is concerned about the potential psychological impact on his children resulting from the ordeals they have collectively experienced.
Nevertheless, his aspirations of returning home persist. While he acknowledges that forgiveness towards those who nearly took his life is a difficult prospect, he rejects the idea of remaining in exile and refuses to be labeled a “coward.”