The History Of FEMRITE

FEMRITE - Uganda Women Writers Association was founded by Hon. Mary Karoro Okurut in 1995. Hon. Karoro is currently the President of FEMRITE, a position that was conferred upon her to recognize her contribution as the Founding Mother of the organization. Indeed, she is fondly called Mother-Hen by all members of FEMRITE. The First Meeting that gave birth to FEMRITE was held in Mary's Office at Makerere University where she was at the time a lecture in the Literature Department. It was attended by Lillian Tindyebwa, Ayeta Anne Wangusa - tyrosur gel apotheke, Dr Susan Kiguli, Martha Ngabirano, Margaret Ntakalimaze, Rosemary Kyarimpa, Hilda Twongyeirwe, Philomena Rwabukuku and Judith Kakonge (rip). The women were very excited by Hon. Karoro's proposals and more meetings were held to brainstorm.

At the beginning of 1996 participation in the initial meetings had expanded and they relocated to National Theatre, the Greenroom. Winnie Munyarugyerero, another of the early FEMRITE members donated the first straw mat that FEMRITE members sat on during meetings further. More members were recruited and that was when Goretti Kyomuhendo, one of Uganda's literary icons also joined to become the first Coordinator of the organization.

On 3rd May 1996, FEMRITE was officially launched at an event that was presided over by Prof Kathleen Kendal, an editor and Writer from South Africa and Ms Juddy Batterman, the then Director of American Centre. The theme of the Launch events was; Women and the Word: Empowerment through the Quill. The launch attracted several pressmen and women. Several literary personalities also attended. Notable among them were Prof Rose Mbowa, Dr Kasalina Matovu, Prof Timothy Wangusa, Dr Okello Ogwang, Alex Bangirana and others.

In 1997 FEMRITE relocated to Plot 18 Shimon Road, where she acquired her first office with seed funding from the Humanistic Institute for Social Development (HIVOS).

To-date FEMRITE has close to 100 members although those actively writing are about 50 members.

FEMRITE
FEM stands for the gender identity while WRITE stands for professional identity. This acronym was put together by Dr Monica Chibita who was later given honorary membership for her major contribution of coining the name that has become almost a house-hold name in literary circles in Uganda, Africa and beyond.

Who is Hon Okurut in brief?
- In 2007, Hon. Okurut received an Award from the National Book Trust of Uganda for her exemplary contribution towards building a Reading Culture in Uganda.

- In 2001 she was voted woman writer of the year

- She is an established novelist (The Invisible Weevil, Child of a Delegate, The Official Wife)

- Short story Writer (Milking a lioness and other stories)

- Playwright (The Curse of a Sacred Cow)

- Currently she is a member of the 8th Parliament of Uganda.

July 30, 2014

Femrite AWDF Public Dialogue

Wednesday 30th July 2014, Femrite and African Women's Development Fund will host a Public Dialogue 3.30pm at Hotel Africana. Theme is African Women speak for themselves; What difference does it make? Panelists are; Theo Sowa - AWDFâ€™s Chief Executive Officer,Mary Karooro Okurut - President and Fo ... read more

July 14, 2014

Uganda hosts the First Regional Non-Fiction Writing workshop for Women and the Yearly Femrite Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, 14th July 2014 Uganda hosts the First Regional Non-Fiction Writing workshop for Women and the Yearly Femrite Week of Activities From 21st to 31st of July 2014, the African Womenâ€™s Development Fund (AWDF) in collaboration with Uganda Women Writers Association (Femr ... read more

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