US$1,000 award to spotlight Ugandan poets and position the nation on the global literary stage.
KAMPALA, Uganda — December 2025 – Uganda’s literary scene is entering a new era with the unveiling of the Dr. Ivan Edwards Poetry Award, announced in November by the Uganda Poetry Society (UPS). Valued at US$1,000, the prize will be awarded in 2026, giving poets a platform to explore the theme of Unity.
Submissions may take the form of a two‑minute spoken word performance video or a 500‑word written poem. The theme was chosen to highlight poetry’s power to heal divisions and foster cohesion in a diverse society.
“This award is not about me alone, but about elevating poets whose voices carry the power to heal, connect, and inspire,” said Dr. Edwards, the honoree, in remarks published by Muwado: Africa’s Storytelling Platform (Vanished Firesides to Global Stages: Uganda’s Poetry Renaissance).
The Prize
With US$1,000 at stake, the award stands among the most significant literary honors in East and Central Africa. It represents both recognition and investment in Uganda’s cultural capital.
The Honoree
The award is named after Dr. Ivan Edwards, a physician, decorated U.S. Air Force Reserve flight surgeon, and poet. Currently serving as CEO of Jovana Rehabilitation Medicine & Pain in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Edwards is recognized for blending science and art in his professional and creative life.
Judges and Oversight
A diverse and impressive panel oversees the award process, ensuring both artistic excellence and social resonance:
- Dr. Stella Nyanzi — scholar, poet, activist
- Jessie Unoh — poet and storyteller
- Dr. Ampat Varghese Koshy — poet, critic, educator
- Joanita Atuhaire — a poet exploring creativity and AI
- Judge ex officio: Philip Matogo — columnist, writer, poet, and Co‑Founder/President of UPS
- Judge ex officio: Alex White, PhD — a historian, writer, and editor
The Uganda Poetry Society
UPS is more than a writers’ collective; it is a cultural institution dedicated to nurturing Ugandan voices and connecting them globally. Its initiatives include workshops, performances, and projects such as Songs of Kiguli, which amplify the voices of children in Uganda and the United States.
Looking Ahead
The Dr. Ivan Edwards Poetry Award is poised to become one of the region’s most significant literary prizes, with ambitions to expand across Africa. It positions alongside continental honors such as South Africa’s Sol Plaatje Award, signaling Uganda’s readiness to host awards of comparable and even greater stature.
Uganda’s poetry renaissance, rooted in oral traditions revived by Okot p’Bitek and energized by collectives like the Lantern Meet of Poets, finds new momentum in this initiative. For local poets, it offers recognition, visibility, and a pathway to regional and international stages. For Uganda, it affirms the nation’s cultural capital and its rightful place on the world literary map.
Good one!