I am Jason Turyahabwa born again Christian and Chairman of the Brethren Fellowship at my Church in Kampala. Born in Southwestern Uganda, I went to school in remote areas for my primary level and advanced to urban centers for my secondary up to university.
In my school journey, I never dreamt of being an author at any one time. Instead, I was dreaming of becoming a Court Magistrate. Some fellow students would be interested in literature books like our time, “The River Between” by Ngugi wa Thiong’o”, and “And Animal Farm by George Orwell” which was first published in 1945! and “Things Fall A Part” by Chinua Achebe”. Surprisingly I had personal copies of the above books but cannot be deceived that I read and completed a chapter of each. Literature was far from my mind and no wonder I never become a Magistrate.
For me, an author knows English literature and has a lot of vocabulary. So, one time I joined a Bible Study group at my Church and this where my becoming an author started. One of our brethren sisters introduced to us her newly formed organization with her colleague which was to capture and publish Christian literature. She invited us to become members of her association called Uganda Faith Writer’s Association (UFWA) which she provided us with their meeting schedules.
When the time came, I decided to go and see more about the Association. After being welcomed well, I decided to become a member but still wondering if I could become an author or Writer.
Good enough, the Association of UFWA organized a one-week training workshop and we had a gentleman from Ghana who came to train in writing and publishing. He was very good and he encouraged us to write an explanation on our national anthem. With his help, we started on a project of writing Uganda’s National Anthem where I was assigned to write one sentence, ” My own dear Land”.
We ended up coming up with the book entitled; “Precious Gift, An Insight into Uganda’s National Anthem 2016.”
When the book was out of publication, I got energized to participate in another writing project.
This time, the Association decided that we write personal stories that can be applied for self-development by our readers. We came up with a book entitled “Above the Storm; Stories of Courage and Hope”. Out of 6 Writers, I have four Stories in the book. Again, the Association organized a team of us to visit one refugee settlement scheme in western Uganda that was hosting mostly Banyamulenge from Congo. We produced a book entitled “Diamond Skies of Home; Stories of Hope and Survival from Refugees in Kyaka11 Settlement.” All were published in 2018.
In the process, we got an internal trainer in UFWA, Lady Precious who encouraged us that each one of us was a book. This encouraged me to write down things I was going through but could not talk about. I sent what I had written to UFWA for advice and what I had next someone called me to break the news that my manuscript had been recommended for publication.
I became so excited, meanwhile, I was planning to attend an international Authors, Writers, and Publishers Conference in Singapore in 2018. We went two of us from UFWA to Singapore. In the Conference, I met a lady from Cambodia who liked and bought my book “Journey of a Single Father.” She read it overnight and completed it. She gave me feedback and useful information on how I can write a second edition of the same. As we talked, a gentleman from USA joined our conversation and in form of diverting us he asked me my professional. Management consultant! He posed a bit and asked me whether I had a book in my profession of which the answer was negative. I was disturbed somehow by the challenge and as I flew back home, I got a suggestion for me to write on children, a book which could be used in Church and areas of academic discipline. I had gathered some little information on the different types of children. I therefore got the title “Understanding Children at Risk; A Resource for Child Development Workers and Students” which was published under an Award in 2023.
Dear fellow authors, that is how my journey to join you started and now I know I am a storyteller in the Writing. I have completed a legendary manuscript of my home village ready for publication, and am soon completing writing on leadership narrowing to the function of Delegation. Also, I try to write on religious issues.
I also want to encourage those who may think, that becoming an author is hard, that themselves make book. Get a paper, and a pen and start writing whatever comes into your mind. That Editor near you will organize your work better. May God bless you all.
Nice