Exiled Novelist Kakwenza Nominated for 2022 ‘Disturbing the Peace’ Award

Ugandan novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has been nominated for the annual “Disturbing the Peace Award”.

The award recognizes writers of distinguished works of fiction, literary nonfiction, biography, memoir, drama, or poetry who are courageous in dissent and have suffered unjust persecution for their beliefs.

Other nominees for the 2022 awards include; Akram Aylisli (Azerbaijan) Andrey Kurkov (Ukraine), Oleg Sentsov (Ukraine) and Anand Teltumbde (India).

Kakwenza, is a novelist, human rights activist, board member of Center PEN Uganda, and winner of the 2021 PEN Pinter Prize for an International Writer of Courage.

His best-known debut novel “The Greedy Barbarian” satirizes the current political situation in Uganda.

Following numerous arrests and alleged torture in detention centres, Rukirabashaija fled Uganda out of fear for his safety.

About the award

The Vaclav Havel Library Foundation’s annual” Disturbing the Peace Award” recognizes writers who share President Vaclav Havel’s passionate commitment to human rights and have suffered unjust persecution for their beliefs.

The award is given each year to a writer of a distinguished work of fiction, literary nonfiction, biography, memoir, drama, or poetry, who is courageous in dissent and has been punished for challenging an oppressive regime.

The award, which includes a $5,000 cash prize, supports talented individuals who embody Havel’s legacy while drawing attention to the many writers worldwide who bravely fight human rights violations.

Nominations for the award are collected each year from international institutions prominent in literature and human rights.

A short list is prepared by the VHLF Award Committee and forwarded to three jurors, who select the awardee.