Uganda’s literary star continues to rise as Joshua Lubwama, a 25-year-old writer and software engineer based in Kampala, has been named the Africa regional winner of the prestigious 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize.
His powerful and evocative story, “Mothers Not Appearing in Search,” stood out among thousands of entries to claim the top regional honour.
Lubwama’s win marks a significant achievement not just for him personally, but also for Uganda’s growing literary landscape. His story was selected from nearly 80,000 entries worldwide, with a record-breaking 7,920 submissions received for this year’s prize alone. The five regional winners were announced this week by the Commonwealth Foundation, and their stories will now compete for the overall prize, set to be revealed on June 25, 2025.
Lubwama is no stranger to recognition. He was longlisted for the prize in 2024 and has previously published work in The Anatomy of Flying Things and Travelling Men Don’t Die. His writing blends emotional depth with subtle social commentary, drawing from both his technical mind and rich personal experiences.
“Mothers Not Appearing in Search” explores memory, marginalisation, and the erasure of maternal presence in a digital age. The story, rooted deeply in African culture and modern anxieties, resonated strongly with this year’s judging panel.
“These stories illuminate many aspects of human nature and demonstrate true mastery of the short story form,” said Professor Dr Vilsoni Hereniko, Chair of the Judges. “Each tale shows that geography matters in storytelling. They are works of fiction inseparable from the local culture and history from which they have sprung.”
Lubwama joins fellow regional winners Faria Basher (Bangladesh, Asia), Chanel Sutherland (Canada/Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Canada and Europe), Subraj Singh (Guyana, Caribbean), and Kathleen Ridgwell (Australia, Pacific) in the final round of the competition.
All five winning stories will be published by Granta, one of the world’s leading literary magazines, offering global visibility for the writers and their work.
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize, administered by the Commonwealth Foundation, is among the most respected literary awards globally. It is open to citizens of Commonwealth countries and aims to spotlight new and emerging voices that capture the richness and complexity of life across the regions.
For Uganda, Lubwama’s recognition is a beacon for young writers and creatives pushing the boundaries of storytelling in East Africa. His win is also a testament to the growing power of literature to challenge, reflect, and inspire across digital and cultural divides.
“Writing is hard. Writing well is harder still,” read a statement from the prize organisers. “It takes skill, persistence and courage. That’s why winning the prize is such a huge achievement.”
As the countdown to the announcement of the overall winner begins, Uganda — and Africa — will be watching closely. Whatever the outcome, Joshua Lubwama has already secured his place as one of the continent’s most promising literary voices.
