FEMRITE – Uganda Women Writers' Association, founded in 1995, is an NGO based in Kampala, Uganda, whose programmes focus on developing and publishing women writers in Uganda and—more recently—in the East African region. FEMRITE has likewise expanded its concerns to East African issues regarding the environment, literacy, education, health, women's rights and good governance.
History
FEMRITE was founded in 1995 by Mary Karoro Okurut, currently (as of 2011) a member of the 8th Parliament of Uganda, but at that time a lecturer at Makerere University. Okurut was joined by Lillian Tindyebwa, Ayeta Anne Wangusa, Susan Kiguli, Martha Ngabirano, Margaret Ntakalimaze, Rosemary Kyarimpa, Hilda Twongyeirwe, Philomena Rwabukuku and Judith Kakonge.
FEMRITE was officially launched as a Non-Governmental Organization on 3 May 1996. Goretti Kyomuhendo, who would later found African Writers Trust, served as FEMRITE's first coordinator. Other notable early members include Beverley Nambozo, Glaydah Namukasa, Beatrice Lamwaka, Doreen Baingana, Violet Barungi, Mildred Barya (also known as Mildred Kiconco), and Jackee Budesta Batanda.
Of FEMRITE's origins and mission, Kyomuhendo, in a 2003 interview with Feminist Africa, stated: "To talk about FEMRITE is to talk about Uganda's literary scene, about Ugandan politics, and especially about the connections between women, politics and writing in Uganda."
Major achievements of FEMRITE members and alumni
Monica Arac de Nyeko won the Caine Prize in 2007; Beatrice Lamwaka was shortlisted for the same prize in 2011; Doreen Baingana was shortlisted in 2005. Doreen Baingana won the Commonwealth Writers Prize for First Best Book, Africa Region (2006); Baingana was also shortlisted for the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award in the Debut Fiction category (2006). Beatrice Lamwaka was shortlisted for the 2009 PEN/Studzinsky Literary Award (2009). Glaydah Namukasa won the Macmillan Writers Prize for Africa, Senior Category (2005). Mildred Barya won the Pan-African Literary Forum Award for Africana Fiction (2008). Jackee Budesta Batanda won the Commonwealth Short Story Competition, Africa Region (2003). Violet Barungi won the British Council International New Play Writing Award for Africa and the Middle East (1997). Goretti Kyomuhendo (novel: 1999), Susan Kiguli (poetry: 1999), Mary Karoro Okurut (novel: 2003), and Mildred Barya (poetry: 2003) won the National Book Trust of Uganda Literary Award.
Public response to FEMRITE programmes
FEMRITE, as reported by various journalists, has been active in Uganda and the greater East African region in the areas of promoting literacy, educational reform, women's rights, and good governance. These activities have generally received positive notice.